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.

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.

The Dallas Mavericks have been dealt another brutal injury blow. Mavericks center Dereck Lively II has sustained a right ankle stress fracture and will be re-evaluated in four weeks, the team announced on Wednesday.