CLEVELAND (AP) ― Kyrie Irving wasn’t just interested. He was incredible.
With one shot better than his last, Irving scored 35 points, including 13 in the final 2:52, as the Cleveland Cavaliers stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-110 on Saturday.
One night after saying he was “disinterested” during a loss in Detroit, Irving was simply spectacular down the stretch. He single-handedly closed out one of the NBA’s best teams, making his last five shots and showing why he’s an All-Star at age 20. Irving’s biggest bucket was a 3-pointer with 42 seconds left to make it 113-108.
“He’s a killer,” said newly acquired Cavs forward Marreese Speights, who added 21 points. “I knew a little about him, I didn’t know THAT.”
Kevin Durant scored 32 points and Russell Westbrook had 28 for the Thunder, who came in 35-11 and with the league’s best road record. Durant left briefly in the third quarter with an injured rib, but returned and scored 13 in the fourth.
However, it wasn’t enough to offset Irving, who sent the Thunder home with a loss.