Kyrie Irving drops the robot, but not with a sick crossover

The Dallas Mavericks created a lighthearted viral moment this week when Kyrie Irving stole the spotlight without entering the field. The scene quickly became Mavericks news, mixing humor, leadership and technology during an unforgettable team reunion.

Irving, who is currently sidelined while recovering from a torn ACL, attended the holiday event outside the team’s practice facility. As part of the festivities, the Mavericks unveiled a humanoid robot dressed in a team jersey. The moment took an unexpected turn when the robot began to exhibit exaggerated fighting-style movements.

Amid laughter from his teammates, Irving playfully shoved the robot in the torso, sending it tumbling backwards onto the sidewalk. The unexpected fall sparked immediate reactions and transformed the incident into a must-see viral moment on social media platforms.

The Mavericks later shared the clip on X (formerly known as Twitter), where it spread quickly and encouraged wider team coverage. Fans joked about Irving winning the battle against artificial intelligence, highlighting how unscripted moments can garner widespread attention during the NBA season.

“We had a very interesting day today 💀🤣🤖”

https://k.com/dallasmavs/status/2001412336012152957

The interaction occurred during a morale-boosting event in which Irving surprised teammates with a custom golf cart. Even while inactive, he remained visibly engaged with the team, reinforcing his leadership presence on the sidelines. His involvement continues to influence the culture of the Mavericks during a challenging stretch of the season.

The robot has been identified as the Unitree H1, a model known for its balance and stability. That detail only added to the humor when he flipped over so easily, emphasizing the fun value of the moment. The incident showed how technology and sports culture are increasingly intersecting.

While Irving continues his rehabilitationmoments like these help keep fans engaged. The Mavericks secured a viral win without a crossover, proving that personality and presence can be as important as performance, even though the 33-year-old point guard remains on the sidelines.