How Kyrie Irving is pulling off the unlikely for the Mavericks while observing the Ramadan fast
Irving has averaged 27.8 points and hit a game-winning shot against the Denver Nuggets since Ramadan began on March 12.
It was 4:57 p.m. on Sunday when Kyrie Irving’s buzzer-beating, jaw-dropping, 21-foot half-hook sank through the rim.
That indicated Irving hadn’t had any food or liquids since at least 9:23. Irving would have to wait until dusk, which was at least two and a half hours, before he could resume eating and drinking on Day 5 of his rigorous daily fast during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
For all of this, Irving’s improbable shot to defeat Denver, the defending NBA champion, seemed even more remote.
The Mavericks are 3-1 since Ramadan started on March 12 and Irving has averaged 27.8 points, 8.5 assists, 6.5 rebounds, and 53.8% shooting from the field while fasting for 12 hours every day, from sunrise to sunset.
He remarked, “Ramadan is a special time.” You make an effort to keep your attention on your path and your journey with God, attempting to avoid dwelling too much on the suffering.
It’s a challenging trip. It’s nothing short of a miracle that I can play for 48 minutes without consuming any food or liquids.
When Ramadan ends this year on April 9, Dallas will have participated in 14 games during the month-long Muslim fasting, introspection, and increased devotion and worship period, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Following his trade from Brooklyn on February 6, 2023, Irving has made several comments indicating that he has found serenity in Dallas, both on and off the court, something he was lacking during the turbulent seasons in Brooklyn and Boston.
He attributes a large portion of that tranquility to his longstanding friendships with general manager Nico Harrison and Mavericks coach Jason Kidd.
Dallas will have played 14 games during the month-long Muslim fasting, reflection, and period of increased devotion and worship, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, when Ramadan concludes this year on April 9.
Irving made a number of remarks after being traded from Brooklyn on February 6, 2023, suggesting that he has found peace in Dallas, both on and off the court—a quality he was missing during the tumultuous seasons in Brooklyn and Boston.
He credits his longtime friendships with Mavericks coach Jason Kidd and general manager Nico Harrison for much of that peace.
The majority of games take place at night, and the sun sets soon after tip-off. Irving will play his typical five-minute rotation to begin the game, then consume his first bodily nourishment in half a day—fruit pieces and water—while watching the action from the sidelines.
It’s a special time, Ramadan,” he said. You make an effort to keep your attention on your path and your journey with God, attempting to avoid dwelling too much on the suffering.
It’s a challenging trip. It’s nothing short of a miracle that I can play for 48 minutes without consuming any food or liquids.
In what amounted to the final stretch of the season, Irving fasted for the fourth time this spring after converting to Islam in 2021, during his second season with the Brooklyn Nets.
When Ramadan ends this year on April 9, Dallas will have participated in 14 games during the month-long Muslim fasting, reflection, and increased devotion and worship period.
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