Celtics star Kyrie Irving now top five in this important NBA stat

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Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving is having a tremendous impact on the success of his team this season.

The 26-year-old superstar leads the C's in scoring (23.1 points per game) and assists (6.4 per game). He's also had some memorable performances, including a 43-point, 11-assist game in a November win over the first-place Toronto Raptors, and a 40-point, 10-rebound game in an overtime victory against the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day.

ESPN's updated Real Plus-Minus rankings were released Thursday morning, and Irving has moved up to fifth in RPM overall and second in offensive RPM. 

Here's the top five of RPM overall.

1. James Harden, PG, HOU: 7.77
2. Anthony Davis, PF, NO: 7.07
3. Paul George, SF, OKC: 6.99
4. Nikola Jokic, C, DEN: 6.62
5. Kyrie Irving, PG, BOS: 5.98

Here's the top five of offensive RPM.

1. James Harden, PG, HOU: 7.91
2. Kyrie Irving, PG, BOS: 5.08
3. Damian Lillard, PG, POR: 4.95
4. Stephen Curry, PG, GS: 4.94
5. Kemba Walker, PG, CHA: 4.54

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Real Plus-Minus isn't a perfect stat, but it does a great job showing a player's impact at both ends of the floor. Here's an explanation of RPM, from ESPN. 

ORPM: Player's estimated on-court impact on team offensive performance, measured in points scored per 100 offensive possessions
RPM: Player's estimated on-court impact on team performance, measured in net point differential per 100 offensive and defensive possessions. RPM takes into account teammates, opponents and additional factors

Irving currently is dealing with an eye injury suffered Monday against the San Antonio Spurs. The Celtics need a healthy Irving going into the playoffs because he give them the elite closer at the end of games that was absent during their playoff run in 2018. 

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