Dallas Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving gifted his teammates custom golf carts Wednesday ahead of the team’s annual “Cookies with Santa” event at Echo Lounge & Music Hall.
Cooper Flagg Praised Kyrie Irving
In a video shared by the team, Mavericks players including Cooper Flagg and Klay Thompson were seen taking the carts for a test drive outside of the club’s practice facility.
Flagg, in particular, was ecstatic to drive around his Christmas gift.
“Kai is an incredible human being. He’s looked out for us this whole year and for me, ever since I got here,” Flagg told Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News.
“He’s just been a really good vet for me, and he’s just a kind-hearted person. That’s a really cool gift and really cool thing to do, and it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”
Kyrie surprised the squad with golf carts for the holidays. Yes, really 🎄🛺
Catch us ridin’ in style this holiday season. @denagoev // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/gR8JHm6fUg
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) December 17, 2025
Flagg, who turns 19 on Sunday, was selected No. 1 overall by the Mavs in this year’s draft out of Duke. Dallas had just a 1.8% chance to win the lottery and jumped 10 spots to grab the first overall pick, the biggest move by any team in lottery history.
He’s averaging 18.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game through 26 appearances. The 6-foot-9 wing hopes to spend his entire NBA career with the Mavs.
“It means a lot to me for this to be my first city [in the NBA] and God willing, however it goes, hopefully it’ll be the only city,” Flagg said. “It’s the first city I’ve ever played professional basketball in so it means a lot to me. I want to be able to give back over time.”
Per Curtis, Irving and two-way center Moussa Cisse distributed presents to children at the “Cookies with Santa” event. Cisse appreciated his teammate’s generosity even though he doesn’t play golf.
“I don’t even know where I’m going to put this golf cart, but that was good. That was nice,” Cisse told Curtis. “That’s my first golf cart so I was excited.”
Irving Remains Sidelined With ACL Injury
Irving has yet to make his season debut as he’s still recovering from a torn left ACL. The 33-year-old had surgery on March 26 to repair the torn ligament he sustained during a game against the Sacramento Kings on March 3.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported in April on NBA Countdown that Irving could return as early as January.
During the offseason, Irving agreed to a three-year, $119 million contract extension after declining his $43 million player option for next season. The extension gives him an additional $76 million.
His player option was part of the three-year, $126 million deal he signed in 2023.
In 50 games (all starts) last season, Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 36.1 minutes per contest while shooting 47.3% from the field, 40.1% from 3-point range, and 91.6% from the foul line.
According to Basketball Reference, he was the only NBA player last season to average at least 20 points on 40% shooting from beyond the arc and 90% from the free throw line.
