Kobe Bryant Gave Kyrie Irving’s ‘Mamba Mentality’ A Stamp Of Approval

Unable to score and watching haplessly as Kevin Durant nailed a dagger three-pointer, the Cleveland Cavaliers had their hearts broken in the closing moments of Game 3. The loss put Cleveland’s season on the line heading into Game 4 as the Cavs were facing a daunting 3-0 deficit.

Despite the loss, one bright spot for Cleveland was the fact that LeBron James finally got some help offensively in Game 3 from Kyrie Irving. The Cavs All-Star guard was able to break loose for 38 points. Irving, though, was stymied by Klay Thompson and failed to score on one of Cleveland’s final possession.

But Irving didn’t let that miss or the loss linger in his mind. Instead, Irving came out with a vengeance in Game 4 on Friday, scoring 40 points to help lead the Cavs to their first win of the series and force a Game 5 on Monday.

Irving was simply sensational. He constantly attacked Thompson and was able to finish at the rim on numerous acrobatic and contorting layups. Irving also knocked down seven three-pointers, shooting 58.3 percent from deep. Irving’s final stat line is truly amazing as he finished with 40 points, seven rebounds, four assists, a steal and just three turnovers.

Irving’s performance was so clutch that during the game, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant had to take a moment to salute the Cavs All-Star on Twitter:

When Bryant co-signs your Mamba-ness, you know you got it going on. And with Irving channeling his inner Black Mamba, the Cavs now have another opportunity to come back from a seemingly-insurmountable deficit for the second time in two years.