Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving doesn’t hold back on ‘7/11’ duo with Kevin Durant

Kyrie Irving discussed his Brooklyn Nets tenure during a Twitch stream, acknowledging the high expectations surrounding the star trio of himself, Kevin Durant, and James Harden that ultimately failed. His four-year Nets stint was plagued by injuries limiting him to 143 games and controversy over his COVID-19 vaccine refusal, which led to his benching.

Despite previous criticism of the Nets organization, Irving emphasized his deep appreciation for playing alongside Durant, calling their "7/11" duo—referencing their jersey numbers—unparalleled. He stated, "Playing with KD, he’s one of the best of all-time," while clarifying this view doesn't diminish his other elite teammates.

The partnership originated from their Team USA connection before signing with Brooklyn in 2019. However, their on-court success proved limited, with Irving confirming Durant influenced Steve Nash's dismissal as head coach. After Irving's 2023 trade request, Brooklyn traded him and Markieff Morris to Dallas for Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, and draft picks, later sending Durant to Phoenix in a separate multi-player deal.

In Dallas, Irving revitalized his career, helping the Mavericks reach the 2024 NBA Finals during his first full season. Currently recovering from an ACL injury, he recently secured a three-year contract extension with the franchise.