Among the buzz about Irving’s new shaved look, some fans noticed a bruising around his eye, suggesting he might have been involved in a physical altercation or injury.
Highlights
- Kyrie Irving debuted a fresh appearance with a clean-shaven look and a mustache, replacing his usual full beard, which caught significant attention from fans and media.
- Despite fan concerns about perceived bruising around his eyes, there were no reports of any facial or eye injuries affecting Kyrie Irving.
- In the game against the Lakers, Luka Dončić achieved a triple-double, while LeBron James contributed significantly. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with an impressive 35 points.
The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers faced off at Crypto.com Arena on February 25, 2025, in a highly anticipated matchup.
While the game featured the first encounter between former teammates Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić since Dončić’s trade to the Lakers, it was Irving’s new appearance that captured significant attention.
This game feels like an alternate reality for SO many reason but an underrated one is that Kyrie looks just like rookie-Kyrie without his beard lol pic.twitter.com/IS4EqScIrT
— MavsMuse (@MavsMuse) February 26, 2025
Prior to the game, Kyrie Irving debuted a fresh appearance, opting for a clean-shaven look with a mustache and goatee, departing from his usual full beard.
This change did not go unnoticed, as fans and media outlets quickly took to social media to share their reactions.
The Mavericks’ official social media accounts shared images of Irving’s new style, leading to a flurry of comments and discussions among fans.
In addition, social media was abuzz with fans’ concerns over bruising around his eyes, as if Irving had recently been involved in a physical altercation or injury.
One fan wrote on Twitter,
What happen to Kyrie Irving ?? Why does he have 2 big bruises on his face???
Twitter
Despite the buzz surrounding his appearance, there were no reports of any facial or eye injuries affecting Irving.
The discussions were purely centered on his aesthetic choice, with no underlying health concerns.
Did Kyrie get jumped in LA or sum? His face looks diffy after that shave job pic.twitter.com/Hou7JadRXG
— edward biggleton (@CassiusCartius) February 26, 2025
The game itself was a showcase of talent, with the Lakers securing a 107-99 victory over the Mavericks.
Luka Dončić achieved a triple-double, recording 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists against his former team.
LeBron James contributed significantly with 27 points and 12 rebounds.
On the Mavericks’ side, Kyrie Irving led with an impressive 35 points, demonstrating his continued prowess on the court.
Luka Dončić on seeing his old Dallas Mavericks teammates for the first time since being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) February 26, 2025
"Kyrie is my Hermano. We got beyond basketball. It was good to see those guys. We went to wars together, and it was really fun to see them all." pic.twitter.com/BVLAOWJ0eM
Irving’s New Look Garnered A Wide Range Of Reactions On Social Media
Irving’s new look sparked a variety of reactions across social media platforms.
Some fans humorously commented on his appearance, with one remarking,
He tryna beat the unc allegations,
Instagram
suggesting that Irving’s new look was an attempt to make himself appear younger.
Beardless Kyrie in the black KAI 2s ahead of tonight’s game in LA 💈
— Sole Retriever (@SoleRetriever) February 26, 2025
📷 @dallasmavs pic.twitter.com/xS8Lcft3sg
Another fan commented,
Kyrie looks like a different man without beard.
Instagram
HERMANOS. 🤞❤️@luka7doncic x @KyrieIrving pic.twitter.com/WRV3Xg0IX6
— NBA (@NBA) February 26, 2025
Irving Continues To Dominate At 32 Years Old
At 32 years old, Kyrie Irving remains a pivotal player for the Dallas Mavericks.
Throughout the current season, he has maintained strong statistics, averaging 24.9 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game with 47 games played.
His consistent performance underscores his importance to the team’s offensive and defensive strategies.
Kyrie Irving tonight:
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 26, 2025
35 Points
7 Rebounds
4 Assists
3 Steals
2 Blocks
40 Minutes
Tough L. (via @realapp_) pic.twitter.com/hccm3hL87d
Irving’s professional journey began in 2011 when he was selected as the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Draft.
During his tenure with the Cavaliers, he was instrumental in securing the 2016 NBA Championship.
Subsequent stints with the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets further showcased his versatility and skill set.
Irving joined the Dallas Mavericks in 2023, where he has since been a cornerstone of the team’s lineup.
KYRIE SILKY IN-AND-OUT DRIBBLE 🤤🤤 pic.twitter.com/NoaULUXlwT
— NBA (@NBA) January 18, 2025
Kyrie Irving’s decision to debut a new look ahead of the Mavericks’ game against the Lakers added an unexpected layer of intrigue to an already compelling matchup.
While his appearance became a focal point of fan discussions, Irving’s performance on the court reaffirmed his status as a key player for the Mavericks.
As the season progresses, both his on-court contributions and off-court choices will undoubtedly continue to captivate audiences.
Additional Information
- Kyrie Irving was born in Melbourne, Australia, and holds dual citizenship in both Australia and the United States.
- Kyrie Irving created and starred in a series of Pepsi commercials as the character “Uncle Drew,” an elderly basketball player. The character became so popular that it was turned into a feature film in 2018.
- Kyrie Irving once publicly stated that he believed the Earth is flat. Although he later clarified that his comments were meant to provoke critical thinking and discussion, the statement garnered significant media attention.
