Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving is strictly adhering to his daily fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News writes. That made it all the more impressive that he hit a buzzer-beating shot to knock off the defending champion Nuggets on Sunday after not intaking food or drink for over nine hours.
Since Ramadan began, the Mavericks are 3-1 and Irving is reaching new heights while averaging 27.8 points, 8.5 assists, and 6.5 per game rebounds despite 12 hours each day without eating or drinking, Townsend writes.
“Ramadan is a special time,” Irving said. “… It’s a difficult journey. To be able to play 48 minutes and do it without having a drink or any food in my stomach is nothing short of a miracle.”
Irving converted to Islam in 2021, meaning this is the fourth spring he’s fasting for. Teammates, coaches and staff members, including assistant God Shammgod, have been actively supporting the star guard during Ramadan.
“Kai’s been with other organizations where things sometimes have been misunderstood,” Shammgod said. “So it’s my job to make sure he has a gateway to the coaches, to the organization. And have an understanding from both sides.”
Ramadan concludes on April 9 and the Mavericks will have played 14 games during that stretch of time.
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- Pelicans star forward Brandon Ingram‘s improved defense and play-making has helped the team achieve one of the best seasons in franchise history. Ingram unfortunately suffered a knee contusion on Thursday and is out for at least two weeks. However, as The Athletic’s William Guillory relays, the Pelicans should be relieved it isn’t worse, considering he may be in position to return ahead of the postseason. Ingram had appeared in 63 games this season, averaging 20.9 points and 5.8 assists. As Guillory observes, if Ingram doesn’t return before the postseason, he’ll still be eligible for any postseason awards despite not reaching 65 games because he was available for 85% of his team’s games at the time of injury.
- GG Jackson continues to establish himself as an integral piece of the Grizzlies‘ future after slipping to the No. 45 pick in the 2023 draft and starting the year on a two-way deal, Michael Wallace of Grind City Media writes. Jackson is averaging 23.6 points while shooting 37.3% on 9.6 three-point attempts per game in his last seven outings, including a career-high 35-point showing on Wednesday. “We always knew it wasn’t a talent thing for him – it’s about carrying yourself as a pro each and every day,” Desmond Bane said of Jackson’s development. “He’s got a lot of great people to learn from in our locker room, and he’s taking full advantage of it.“
- Spurs rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama said he’s going to be sharing his input on San Antonio’s future and is thankful the team wants it, according to NBA.com’s Michael C. Wright (Twitter link). The Spurs will be consulting their franchise player on their offseason moves and the direction they go.
Now Irving thinks he’s a miracle worker. The earth is flat and Kyrie Irving performs miracles. What will he come up with next?
You’re distain for someone who did nothing wrong or abhorrent besides not drinking water during an NBA game is hilarious. Guys like you see a picture of Kyrie and can’t wait to click because you think your 8 year old joke is cooler and more likable than he is. It’s not.
He did nothing wrong or abhorrent? REALLY? Tweeting out an antisemitic documentary isn’t either of those things?
Horrible take, but still impressive that you own it
Dude, you’re an idiot. I have no disdain for him….I just like making fun of people who have exalted opinions of themselves… and Irving definitely has that.
You ever hear about beating a dead horse? Kyrie was in Cleveland when the flat earth stuff was funny. You’re only about a decade late
It is interesting to note that I like making fun of fake basketball fans. I guess we both get a W today.
No offense to Kyrie, but it’s actually not that impressive and plenty of people do some form of fasting outside of religion. For instance, I’ve done the 20/4 fast where you fast for 20 hrs a day while cramming everything in a single big meal within a 4hr period and have had no problems hitting my 50 miles a week running, including hard workouts. If you eat and hydrate properly the night before, you won’t need any extra sustenance on game day. It’s not like he’s running a race out there, nor is he coming close to actually playing 48 mins.
Feels like everyone under 25 is fasting today
Good point Shea.
Why is wemby giving input? He hasn’t even been in the league a whole season. He is an exceptional athlete, not an exceptional gm. Why even set a precedent? Let the front office do their job. Very troubling. Doesn’t anybody remember the Alamo?
Wemby is giving his input because pandering to these young stars makes them happy and believe they actually more important to the decision making process then what they are. I ask my 3 year old grandson what he’d like to do for the day, where he’d like to go and what he’d like to eat. But his input carries very little weight when actually making decisions. Wemby is a toddler….gotta keep them happy so they don’t throw a tantrum. Best thing about toddlers like my grandson and Wemby is they don’t understand when you are being patronizing to them.
I don’t know…every indication to this point is that Wemby is above all that and understands his role and trusts the franchise. Then again I wouldn’t be surprised if you were 100% right.
Though, doesn’t your 3 year old grandson realize you’re not going to chuck e cheese when you show up at buffalo wild wings and the bartender calls you by your first name instead of “grampy”? How do you explain that to him?
Hahaha. Ya, his parents have strict rules about where he can eat. Got a couple grandparents already in the sh*t list for taking him to McDonalds. lol
And in my younger years, I was definitely known by my first name and a couple similar spots.