Despite coming up short in Game 4 against the Los Angeles Clippers, Mavericks star Kyrie Irving was largely responsible for keeping the team afloat, posting a stellar 40 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in an eventual 116-111 loss for Dallas. Things were looking grim for the Texas-based team, however, the Mavs rallied back to remain competitive until the bitter end. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that Irving's shoes on the basketball court were unique as they were a fresh color variant of his signature ANTA KAI I sneaker model, which was named "Mother's Day".
Kyrie Irving's latest sneaker pays a heartfelt tribute to his late mother and to all the hardworking mothers out there.
.@KyrieIrving dropped 40 points tonight in the ANTA KAI 1 “Mother’s Day” 💪🏀🔥 pic.twitter.com/iec2uY6FPS
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) April 29, 2024
With Mother's Day just two weeks away, it's no surprise that Kyrie is offering fans and the media a sneak peek at this timely, new design. Kyrie took his name and likeness to the Chinese-based ANTA brand, after a rough falling out with Nike following some controversial comments and social media posts. After signing a five-year endorsement deal with ANTA in July 2023, Kyrie's first signature sneaker under his new banner, the ANTA KAI I, was made available to the public in March 2024.
ANTA made a smart move by collaborating with Kyrie Irving, which significantly increased the popularity of his sneakers and the brand overall. The KAI I sold out quickly when they were first released due to the high demand generated by Irving's involvement.
Irving's latest ANTA KAI I is symbolic as it pays tribute to his mother, Elizabeth Irving, who passed away at the age of 29 after fighting a deadly skin disease. Elizabeth also belonged to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, home to the Lakota and Dakota nations, to which Irving also carries the heritage.
Kyrie Irving has become an official member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, per KFYR-TV.
— ESPN (@espn) August 27, 2021
His mother, Elizabeth Larson, who died when Irving was four years old, is a descendant of the tribe. pic.twitter.com/BEZ3agQpjk
The shoe has a white base with blue and red accents, creating a unique and stylish design. The ankle collar and gum outsole work well together, giving the shoe a nostalgic feel reminiscent of old-fashioned boxing shoes or classic Team USA threads.
Neither ANTA nor Kyrie has provided any official information regarding the release date or details of the "Mother's Day" colorway. However, it is anticipated that they will be available for purchase to the general public in the near future.
In the meantime, Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks will regroup from their close Game 4 loss to the Clippers and hopefully come out strong for a Game 5 victory on May 1 at 10:00 pm EST on TNT.