DALLAS – Kyrie Irving has been at the center of the sports world spotlight since he hit an unbelievable left-handed floater to lift the Dallas Mavericks over the defending-champion Denver Nuggets at the buzzer on Sunday, and for good reason. It was one of the more unique game-winners in NBA history, which is fitting for a guy who is widely regarded as being the most skilled player ever.

Lost in the madness that followed Irving’s heroics was the stellar play of rookie big man Dereck Lively II, who finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and two blocks while shooting 7-8 from the field in 23 minutes off the bench. It’s not easy to ask a rookie to go toe-to-toe with a champion and MVP player like Nikola Jokic, but Lively held his own and helped the Mavs gut out a big win.

“I have seen a lot of great shots in practice and games, but that one takes the cake. In Kyrie we trust,” Lively said of Irving’s game-winning shot. “As soon as we give him the ball, we know he’s going to find a great shot or make a great opportunity for someone else. Whenever we see him get the ball, just sit back and watch it happen. No one was expecting him to make that layup, no one was expecting him to make that floater, but he made the shot.”

Lively had several impressive buckets himself, but the most eye-popping of his seven made field goals came with 4:40 remaining in the fourth quarter. With the Mavs up 98-91, Irving grabbed a rebound and initiated a fast break. Lively ran the floor and was rewarded with a pass from Irving. Although Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tried to draw an offensive foul, Lively nimbly euro-stepped past him for a dunk.

Everyone knows Lively is an elite lob threat and rim protector, but he has shown more offensive versatility as this season has progressed, and the Mavs are excited about what the future holds for him. The 7-1 big man has yet to break out the 3-point shooting his showcased during his Pro Day before last year’s NBA Draft, but if he ever adds that element to his game – which could allow the Mavs to play both Lively and Gafford at the same time if needed – it could take Dallas to the next level.