Conversation to Air within Pre-Game Show for NBA Finals Christmas Rematch on ABC

ESPN’s Rachel Nichols conducted a special sit-down interview with Cleveland Cavaliers’ superstar Kyrie Irving , which will air during the NBA Countdown pre-game show at 2 p.m. ET prior to Sunday’s highly-anticipated NBA Finals Christmas Rematch on ABC. Irving and the Cavaliers will host Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors at 2:30 p.m.  on ABC.

During the interview, Irving will discuss a variety of topics, including the Warriors-Cavaliers rivalry which has changed the landscape of the NBA, how his life has changed since hitting the game-winning shot of NBA Finals Game 7 in June, and more. Below is an excerpt from Nichols’ interview with Irving on the trash talk that has transpired between the two championship teams since the NBA Finals:

Irving: “It just makes this Christmas Day game that much more special. We understand the magnitude of the game that we played six months ago. How much of what we accomplished, but also what they accomplished the year before. We don’t downplay each other’s talents, but at the same time, it’s still a very competitive environment.”

Nichols hosts The Jump, ESPN’s daily NBA show, which airs at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and streams via the ESPN app.

On ABC & ESPN’s NBA Christmas coverage

The tradition continues as Christmas will be home to the NBA on ABC and ESPN for the 15^th consecutive season. On Sunday, Dec. 25, ABC and ESPN will combine to present over 13 consecutive hours of NBA action over five games, highlighted by the much-anticipated rematch of the most-watched NBA Finals in ABC history – the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James and Kyrie Irving host the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant – at 2:30 p.m. ET on ABC. More details: https://bit.ly/2016NBAXMas

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Media contact: Ben Cafardo at 860-766-3496 or [email protected]. On twitter: @Ben_ESPN.