Kyrie Irving appreciates Kevin Durant's praise ahead of preseason matchup
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 7, 2026, 10:34 PM
Last updated Oct 7, 2026
Kyrie Irving expressed gratitude for a compliment from Kevin Durant regarding his ball-handling skills. Durant highlighted Irving's abilities during an interview, despite claiming he does not wish to add any skills to his game. The two stars, former teammates with the Brooklyn Nets, maintain mutual respect. The Dallas Mavericks, where Irving currently plays, are set to face the Houston Rockets in a preseason game on Friday in Macao, China. Irving has also been the subject of trade rumors as the Mavericks reassess their long-term plans.
- •Kyrie Irving thanks Kevin Durant for his compliment on ball-handling.
- •Durant cites Irving's skills while stating he doesn't need to add to his game.
- •Irving and Durant were teammates from 2019 to 2023.
- •Mavericks to play Rockets in preseason at The Venetian Arena.
- •Trade rumors suggest Mavericks may explore moving Irving this season.
- 10:34 PMYahoo Sports — Kyrie Irving Fires Back With Emotional Message After 38-Yr-Old Kevin Durant’s Bold Praise
"When it comes to handles, NBA fans usually put Kyrie Irving at the top of the list. The Dallas Mavericks star is regarded as one of the best ball handlers. Even his fellow NBA stars have occasionally praised how he controls the basketball. His former Brooklyn Nets co-star, Kevin Durant, was asked which skill he’d [...]
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