In their first season apart, both LeBron James and Kyrie Irving have gotten off to promising starts in their respective situations.
According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, they have both experienced increased efficiency during late in close games through the first few weeks of this season that has put them in the top of the league in that category.
In clutch time — defined as the last five minutes of a game when the score is within five points — Irving leads the league with 65 points thus far. James is second with 60. Field goal percentage in those situations? James is first leaguewide at 62.2 percent; Irving is second at 61.5.
James is first in the league in fourth-quarter scoring, putting up 168 points and averaging 9.3 per game. Irving is fourth in fourth-quarter scoring with 125 total points.
Last season, James and Irving ranked 20th and 21st, respectively, in total clutch scoring, per ESPN Stats & Information. Breaking them apart has allowed each to shine.
It hasn’t just been late-game situations where James has shown to be more of an effective scorer as he’s currently shooting career highs from the field (58.0), and from beyond the arc (42.2). He has quickly adjusted to his roster shakeup from the offseason and found a way to remain highly efficient offensively at a career-best pace.
Meanwhile, Irving has landed with a team where he has become the Boston Celtics’ top scoring and unquestioned closer late in close games. It is exactly what the 25-year-old wanted and he has so far made the most of his opportunity averaging 23.0 points on a career-best 48.0 percent shooting from the field.
With these two settling in their respective increased offensive roles, it could set course for the two teams to meet once again in the Eastern Conference Finals come next May.