On Friday night, the Dallas Mavericks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder by a score of 106-98 (at home). Kyrie Irving finished the win with 25 points, five rebound

Kyrie Irving — an expert in rivalries — agreed that the Thunder and Mavericks have become arch-nemesis. “It’s personal. I think it’s the start of a healthy rivalry," Irving said. "... We’re gonna be seeing them a lot over the next few years so it’s good that you set the precedent now what it’s gonna be like.

Inconsistency is about the only consistent theme of the Dallas Mavericks’ injury-riddled season. The Mavericks began most of the new year with the task of playing without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 134-114 home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday in a matchup between the two teams with the NBA's best records.

A lot can change in a week. And in just a week's time, the Oklahoma City Thunder were able to gain ground in their argument as being the NBA's best team.