Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kyrie Irving

Discover the career path of Kyrie Irving, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Kyrie Irving is a professional basketball player currently with the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. Drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011, he was named Rookie of the Year. Irving is a nine-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA Team selection, achieving an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016. He is renowned for his exceptional ball-handling skills and scoring ability.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1972: Jo Jo White's Postseason Debut

In 1972, Jo Jo White had a 20-plus points, five-plus assists and five-plus rebounds in his postseason debut with the team.

1986: Double-Double Since Larry Bird

In 1986, Kyrie Irving was the first Celtic with 11 of that kind of double-double since Larry Bird.

2001: First Celtics Player Since Antoine Walker

In 2001, Kyrie Irving became the first Celtics player since Antoine Walker to record a game scoring at least 40 points with 10 or more assists.

2001: Marbury's Rebounds and Assists

In 2001, Stephon Marbury was the only one to record 15 combined rebounds and assists.

2007: Most Points in First Six Games as a Celtic

In 2007, Kyrie Irving's 128 points in his first six games as a Celtic were the most since Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen each had 131 points.

August 2009: Nike Global Challenge MVP

In August 2009, Kyrie Irving led the USA East to the tournament title in the Nike Global Challenge, earning the MVP award with 21.3 points and 4.3 assists per game.

2011: Enters NBA Draft

In 2011, Kyrie Irving announced that he would forgo his final three seasons of eligibility and enter the NBA draft.

2011: Joins Cleveland Cavaliers

In 2011, Kyrie Irving joined the Cleveland Cavaliers after playing one year of college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils.

2011: Celtics First Victory Against the Spurs

In 2011, the Celtics secured their first victory against the Spurs, since 2011. Kyrie Irving scored 24 points.

February 2012: Rondo's Triple-Double

In February 2012, Rajon Rondo achieved a 30-plus point triple-double the same game. Kyrie Irving had his second career triple-double on March 14.

2012: Irving Appears on Kickin' It

In 2012, Kyrie Irving appeared on an episode of the Disney XD series Kickin' It.

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2012: Irving Plays Uncle Drew in Pepsi Max Ads

In 2012, Kyrie Irving played the role of Uncle Drew in a series of Pepsi Max advertisements.

2012: Irving Contends for Australian Olympic Team

In 2012, Kyrie Irving was in contention for a position on the Australian team for the 2012 Olympics but elected not to represent his nation of birth.

2013: Career-High 41 Points Against Knicks

In 2013, while wearing a protective face mask, Kyrie Irving scored a then-career-high 41 points against the New York Knicks, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 points in Madison Square Garden.

February 28, 2014: First Career Triple-Double

On February 28, 2014, Kyrie Irving recorded his first career triple-double with 21 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds in a victory over the Utah Jazz.

April 5, 2014: Career-High 44 Points

On April 5, 2014, Kyrie Irving recorded a then career-high 44 points in an overtime loss to the Charlotte Bobcats.

July 10, 2014: Contract Extension with Cavaliers

On July 10, 2014, Kyrie Irving signed a five-year, $90 million contract extension with the Cavaliers.

2014: All-Star Game Starter and MVP

In 2014, Kyrie Irving was chosen as the starting point guard for the Eastern Conference in the NBA All-Star game, recording 31 points and 14 assists and was the All-Star game MVP.

March 12, 2015: Career-High 57 Points

On March 12, 2015, Kyrie Irving scored a career-high 57 points in a victory over the San Antonio Spurs. The effort also surpassed the Cavaliers' franchise single-game scoring mark of 56 points, set by LeBron James.

2015: Thomas' Postseason Debut

In 2015, Isaiah Thomas had a 20-plus points, five-plus assists and five-plus rebounds in his postseason debut with the team.

October 25, 2016: Championship Ring and Victory over Knicks

On October 25, 2016, after receiving his first championship ring, Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 29 points in a victory over the New York Knicks.

November 2016: Irving Supports Standing Rock Water Protectors

In November 2016, Kyrie Irving tweeted his support for the water protectors at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation who were demonstrating against the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota.

2016: Voicework in We Bare Bears

In 2016, Kyrie Irving did voicework in "We Bare Bears".

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2016: Irving Wins Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Kyrie Irving helped Team USA win the gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

January 23, 2017: Season-High 49 Points Against Pelicans

On January 23, 2017, Kyrie Irving scored 35 of his season-high 49 points in the second half of the Cavaliers' narrow loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

July 2017: Irving Requests Trade from Cavaliers

In July 2017, Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Cavaliers, seeking to be the primary focus of a team rather than playing alongside LeBron James.

October 17, 2017: Celtics Debut

On October 17, 2017, Kyrie Irving debuted for the Celtics with 22 points and 10 assists in a 102-99 loss against the Cavaliers.

November 6, 2017: First 30-point game as a Celtic

On November 6, 2017, Kyrie Irving scored 35 points in a victory over the Atlanta Hawks, marking his first 30-point game as a Celtic.

November 20, 2017: Season-High 47 Points

On November 20, 2017, Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 47 points in an overtime victory against the Dallas Mavericks, extending the Celtics' winning streak.

2017: Trade Request to Boston Celtics

After another Finals appearance in 2017, Kyrie Irving requested a trade and was dealt to the Boston Celtics.

2017: NBA Finals loss to Warriors

In 2017, Kyrie Irving scored 40 points in Game 4 to prevent a sweep by the Golden State Warriors, but the Cavaliers ultimately lost the series 4-1 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

January 21, 2018: 40 Points in Loss to Magic

On January 21, 2018, Kyrie Irving scored 40 points in a loss to the Orlando Magic, which marked the Celtics' season-worst third straight defeat.

August 2018: Irving Honored at Standing Rock Reservation

In August 2018, Kyrie Irving and his older sister were honored with a "welcome home" ceremony at Standing Rock Indian Reservation, acknowledging their family ties and Irving's activism on behalf of the water protectors at the Dakota Access Pipeline protests.

2018: Irving Guest Stars on Family Guy

In 2018, Kyrie Irving guest starred on Family Guy, lending his voice for the season 17 episode "Big Trouble in Little Quahog".

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2018: Traded to the Celtics

In 2018, Kyrie Irving was traded to the Boston Celtics, in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Žižić, and the rights to the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first-round draft pick.

2018: Uncle Drew Feature Film

In 2018, Kyrie Irving's "Uncle Drew" advertisements became a feature film. Irving wrote, directed, and acted in these advertisements.

January 16, 2019: Career-High 18 Assists

On January 16, 2019, Kyrie Irving recorded 27 points and a career-high 18 assists in a 117–108 victory over the Raptors.

July 7, 2019: Signed with Brooklyn Nets

On July 7, 2019, Kyrie Irving signed with the Brooklyn Nets in free agency on a four-year, $136.5 million contract.

October 23, 2019: Nets Debut with 50 Points

On October 23, 2019, Kyrie Irving debuted for the Nets with 50 points, becoming the first player in NBA history to score 50 points or more in a team debut.

2019: Signs with Brooklyn Nets

In 2019, Kyrie Irving signed with the Brooklyn Nets as a free agent after playing with the Celtics for two seasons.

January 12, 2020: Return from Injury

On January 12, 2020, Kyrie Irving returned from a right shoulder injury, scoring 21 points in a victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

February 2020: Elected Vice-President of NBPA

In February 2020, Kyrie Irving was elected as one of the seven vice-presidents of the National Basketball Players Association, replacing Pau Gasol.

2020: Irving Donates to Various Social Causes

In 2020, Kyrie Irving, through his K.A.I. Family Foundation, donated a home to the family of George Floyd, paid off student debt for students from Lincoln University, committed $1.5 million to help pay WNBA players, donated over $300,000 to food banks, and donated 17 pallets of food to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

2020: Celtics Trade Compensation

In 2020, the Celtics sent the Cavaliers a 2020 second-round draft pick to complete the trade, as compensation for Isaiah Thomas' failed physical.

February 18, 2021: All-Star Selection

On February 18, 2021, Kyrie Irving was named an Eastern Conference starter for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, marking his seventh selection.

July 29, 2021: Irving Builds Solar Water Center in Pakistan

On July 29, 2021, Kyrie Irving, through his K.A.I. Family Foundation, built a solar water center in Pakistan with Paani Project.

October 2021: Speculation of Exclusion from NBA 75th Anniversary Team

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, his hesitancy to get vaccinated, and his sharing of conspiracy theories, it was speculated that Kyrie Irving was excluded from the NBA 75th Anniversary Team list in October 2021.

2021: Player Option for the 2022-23 Season

Following the end of the 2021-22 season, there was speculation that Irving would decline his player option and pursue a sign-and-trade deal with another team.

January 5, 2022: Season Debut After Vaccine Mandate

On January 5, 2022, Kyrie Irving made his season debut, recording 22 points in a victory over the Indiana Pacers.

February 26, 2022: Season-High 38 Points

On February 26, 2022, Kyrie Irving scored a then season-high 38 points in a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

January 20, 2023: Season-High 48 Points

On January 20, 2023, Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 48 points, including a season-high eight 3-pointers, in a victory over the Utah Jazz.

February 6, 2023: Kyrie Irving Traded to the Dallas Mavericks

On February 6, 2023, Kyrie Irving was traded by the Nets, along with Markieff Morris, to the Dallas Mavericks. The Nets received Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029 in exchange.

July 7, 2023: Irving Re-Signs with the Mavericks

On July 7, 2023, Irving re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks with a three-year, $126 million contract.

September 2023: Irving Partners with Anta Sports

In September 2023, Kyrie Irving announced a new partnership with Chinese sports brand Anta Sports, becoming Chief Creative Officer of Anta Basketball and launching Anta x Kyrie Youth Basketball Camps.