Luka Doncic is less than two months removed from his 25th birthday, but he's already been to the playoffs three times, including two first-round losses to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2020 and 2021. It's something.
Doncic and Tim Hardaway Jr. are the only Mavericks left in a 2021 starting lineup that includes Dorian Finney-Smith, Boban Marjanovic and Kristaps Porzingis.
Sitting in front of the media after Tuesday's practice ahead of Sunday's looming Game 1 in Los Angeles, Doncic pointed to one key difference this time around.
“We have Ky,” he said, referring to Kyrie Irving.
When prompted, he elaborated.
“The whole team is different. … We have great chemistry. We have a lot of fun playing together. The Clippers, they have a great team. They have great talent. Every game is going to be really tough.”
The Clippers have four players in line for induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Paul George, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Kawhi Leonard's availability for Sunday is in flux because of inflammation in their right knee.
The Clippers were 2-1 against the Mavericks before Christmas in the regular season, when Dallas struggled to find continuity with offseason additions Grant Williams and Seth Curry. Former Mavericks center Richaun Holmes was also in the lineup until all three players were used in separate deals at the trade deadline to acquire Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington.
Irving scored 27 points to go along with Doncic's 44 points in the first game, winning 144-126 at home. In the second matchup, he scored 26 points to offset Doncic's 30 points, but lost 107-88 on the road. Irving did not play in the final game, which was played at American Airlines Center, and the decision was 120-111 in favor of the Clippers.
Head coach Jason Kidd doesn't necessarily buy into the theory that Los Angeles' lack of familiarity with the current Mavericks could benefit the team.
“I don't know if that's an advantage,” he said Tuesday. “They haven't had a chance to see this team, so on video, [LA’s] The coaching staff will do their part. They have veterans on their side and plenty of playoff experience. I don't know if that's an advantage, but I think we'll find out in the first game. I think it means they are playing at a high level. What matters at this time of year is which team makes a mistake at the wrong time and capitalizes on it. ”
The defensive duo of Gafford and Washington will complement the offensive duo of Doncic and Irving. It also unlocked a new dimension offensively, with Gafford serving as a formidable rebounder, rim roller, and lob threat.
Despite early shooting struggles, Washington has made 40% of its 3-point attempts since March 26 (27 of 67). He played against Irving several times in the Eastern Conference as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. Now he can be on the right side of Irving's nightly offensive show.
“Just playing against him, you don't know what he's going to do,” Washington said of Irving. “He has a counter that can respond to anything. No matter what defense you put on him, he's comfortable.”
Doncic said he always knew the pairing with Irving would work, even though there were questions about what the future held with the two superstars after the Mavericks missed the playoffs last season. Ta.
“I knew it from the beginning,” Doncic said. “It's Kyrie Irving. We all know how he can play basketball. We knew it from the beginning.”
Read more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
