Kyrie Irving, with his widespread popularity in the NBA realm, has amassed a dedicated fan following. Be it from his early days with the Cleveland Cavaliers to their championship-contending era, where his jersey sales soared. Now, as the Dallas Mavericks geared up to take on the top team in the West, the Minnesota Timberwolves, a heartwarming incident unfolded.

Before the arena filled with fans, one stood out holding a poster, proudly declaring that they had journeyed all the way from Ethiopia to America just to witness Kyrie Irving in action. Touched by this heartfelt gesture, Irving couldn’t resist acknowledging the fan. Not only did he take the time to meet the fan, but he also generously gifted his autographed shoes before proceeding to engage in pre-game rituals.

The recent encounter stands in stark contrast to Kyrie’s usual interactions with fans, which have been less than favorable. Even though Kyrie has had a massive following for almost a decade, his controversial remarks have turned several fans against him. Moreover, he is often targeted with boos from Boston Celtics supporters for his sudden departure from the franchise. These have also endured to be a spectacle from opposing fans during home games. Nevertheless, witnessing a fan’s wish come true serves as a redeeming and heartening experience, compensating for the tough days he has faced on the court.

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Why is Kyrie Irving not playing against the Wolves?

An ongoing injury has sidelined Kyrie Irving against the Timberwolves. This adds to the challenge of the already short-handed Dallas team, as Luka Doncic will also be absent due to his substantial workload. In their absence, the trio of Tim Hardaway Jr., Jaden Hardy, and Josh Green can shoulder the bulk of responsibilities while starting for the Mavs.

Irving will miss his fifth consecutive game. Despite that, he has contributed heavily to the Mavs, often helping them maintain their winning ways even in the absence of Luka. Regardless, Irving’s aggregate missed games have now exceeded 17, rendering him ineligible for any season awards under the new CBA rules.

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A foot injury in December, and now, a thumb problem have been a major cause of his absences. So far, he has played in 27 games, averaging around 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Moreover, he has shot the ball over 40% from the field and beyond the three-point line. After the Timberwolves game, the Mavericks will face a formidable challenge against the Milwaukee Bucks.