Kyrie Irving looked up to the Jumbotron and saw a picture of himself with a congratulatory message: “Congrats Kyrie! 18,000 career points.” It was seconds before the third quarter began, but Irving smiled and crossed his fingers.

On Wednesday evening, the Dallas Mavericks played the Minneosta Timberwolves in Texas. The Mavs lost by a score of 115-114. Despite the loss, Kyrie Irving exploded for 36 points, four rebounds and nine assists while shooting 12/21 from the field and 4/11 from the three-point range in 38 minutes of playing time.

Mavericks center Dereck Lively II has suffered a stress fracture in his right ankle and will be reevaluated in four weeks, the team announced Wednesday. ESPN reported that Lively is expected to miss two to three months. A Philadelphia native, the 7-foot-1 Lively starred in high school at the Westtown School.

Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd braced the room before revealing his latest injury report for their series finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves. “Bear with me,” he said. Kidd announced that he would be without five rotation players for Wednesday’s game,