MINNEAPOLIS — Not many people expected the Dallas Mavericks to reach the Western Conference finals when the season began. During the team’s morning shooting practice at Target Center before taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their series, Luka Doncic was grateful to even be on stage.
“Like Kai said, never take anything for granted, especially in the West,” Doncic said. “The last two years the West has been full of powerhouses, and that’s awesome. Anyone can beat anyone. So I’m just happy to win my second championship in three years. It’s a blessing and we just keep going.”
The Timberwolves defeated the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets in a Western Conference semifinal series, and Doncic appreciates the opportunity to face a team of that calibre for a chance to reach the NBA Finals.
“It’s a great team. It’s going to be a great atmosphere. It’s always tough to play here,” Doncic said. “They have a great crowd. I know how good they are, so I think it’s going to be a really fun matchup.”
Doncic has been playing strong through a sprained right knee and a sore left ankle and remains listed as eligible on injured reserve, averaging 24.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 8.7 assists in six games with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
When asked how he’s feeling right now, Doncic said, “I’m OK.” When asked how his recovery is going after a few days off, he explained he won’t know until he’s on the court in a game. “I don’t know. Honestly, I won’t know until I see it today,” Doncic said. “I haven’t done much. Just a little bit. I’ve just been resting all day.” [and] A treat. That’s it.”
The Mavericks will face one of the NBA’s best defenses in the regular season, and that defense is even stronger in the postseason, with Jaden McDaniels as his on-ball defender and Rudy Gobert protecting the rim.
“When you asked me about the top three, I forgot about McDaniels. I said some people are going to be mad, but I forgot about him,” Doncic said. “But he’s definitely in the top three. He’s been great defensively. He’s been great for a long time. [arms]He can jump, so he’s focused and it’s going to be hard to compete against him.”
Dallas must find a way to slow Anthony Edwards, who Doncic described as an “incredible” talent both defensively and defensively. The Timberwolves superstar is averaging 28.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists in 11 postseason games.
“Unbelievable player on both ends. Does all the little things to help the team win. Obviously, unbelievable talent,” Doncic said. “Athletically, we’re similar. We’ve done the same things. No, I’m kidding. He’s an unbelievable player. Still young, 22? That’s it. And it’s obvious he’s been built for this and it’s always great to watch.”
read more: Mavs scouting notes ahead of conference finals game against Timberwolves
The Mavericks benefited from adding P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford after acquiring Kyrie Irving, Derek Lively II, Derrick Jones Jr. and Dante Exum last year. While not all of the players have been with the team for more than a few months, Doncic emphasized the confidence he has in this group.
“We knew that no matter what happened, we had to stay together. That was kind of our motto: We’ll get through everything together and we’ll be together no matter what,” Doncic explained. “We’ve been together for five months and we’ve always been very confident, so that didn’t change after this series.”
Check out Doncic’s full shootaround interview in the embedded video below.
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