Irving entered the night just three points shy of the threshold with 17,997 career points. After a pair of free throws, he maneuvered into the paint and connected on a midrange jumper at the 7:17 mark of the first quarter. He finished with 38 points despite another loss for the injury-riddled Mavericks.

Irving is listed on the injury report as he continues to deal with a lumbar back sprain. Meanwhile, Dereck Lively II (right ankle sprain), Luka Doncic (left calf strain) and Dante Exum (right wrist surgery) are all out for Friday's game. It is worth noting that Mavs head coach Jason Kidd previously said he expects Irving to play on Friday.

Wednesday’s NBA action features several contenders in action – and a ton of road favorites – including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving points ... of his sterling NBA career. Irving entered the night sitting at 17,997. He hit a pair of free throws and then a short jumper in the first quarter to surpass the 18,000 mark. Irving finished with 38 points ...

Dallas Mavericks point guard showered LaMelo Ball with praise after the Charlotte Hornets beat the Mavericks 110-105.

The Dallas Mavericks had an early tip to start Martin Luther King Jr. Day against the Charlotte Hornets, entering the game wildly short-handed. Dallas was without Luka Doncic, Dereck Lively II, Quentin Grimes, Dante Exum, Dwight Powell, and Jaden Hardy, while Charlotte was missing Brandon Miller, Tre Mann, and Grant Williams.

Mavericks star Kyrie Irving gave his honest thoughts about the trade with the Nets that brought him to Dallas.

Kyrie Irving scored 25 points, Spencer Dinwiddie and P.J. Washington Jr. added 16 apiece and the Dallas Mavericks beat Oklahoma City 106-98 as Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed his first game of the season.

LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges each scored 23 points to lead the Charlotte Hornets to a riveting victory over the Dallas Mavericks, 110-105.

After Friday's win, Irving gave some praise to the Thunder, who he believed are still on the rise. “It’s personal," said Irving. "It’s the start of a healthy rivalry. They're good ...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Keon Johnson led a balanced Brooklyn attack with 18 points, and the Nets snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 104-83 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night. Jalen Wilson added 15 points and Tosan Evbuomwan had 14 for the Nets,

NBA All-Star starters revealed, it's time to predict who will represent each conference as reserves. Before we do, though, it's