By The Numbers: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving Thrive Together Despite Mavs Loss
Although the Dallas Mavericks weren’t able to outlast the high-powered Sacramento Kings’ offense in Saturday’s 133-128 overtime loss, the newly-formed dynamic duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving showed how unstoppable it can be going forward.
According to Cleaning The Glass, Doncic and Irving were +26.2 (100th Percentile) in 58 possessions together. They also posted a 131.0 Offensive Rating (100th Percentile) and a 104.8 Defensive Rating (98th Percentile) as a duo.
So much for the “there’s only one ball” narrative, right?
Despite being a little rusty from missing four games to a heel injury, Doncic still finished the game with 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists while shooting 11-20 from the field (2-9 from deep). Irving led the Mavs with 28 points (16 in the fourth quarter and overtime), seven rebounds and seven assists while shooting 11-21 from the field.
The Mavs weren’t able to pull off the road win in what was the team’s third game in four nights, but it certainly wasn’t due to the play of their new superstar backcourt tandem. For a first impression, Doncic and Irving gave a glimpse of what could come for the rest of this season and the playoffs.
"Amazing, man. It was only our first game together. I think it's so fun to play with this guy,” Doncic said of playing with Irving. “He's an amazing basketball player. I think it's going to be really fun. Today, first time, it was really fun."
When the Mavs were down 129-126 in overtime with 14 seconds remaining, Doncic launched a step-back 3 from the left wing that didn’t go in. Although he’s made that kind of shot before, Doncic admitted that those late-game situations with Irving will be a learning process.
"It's my bad. I should have given it back to Kai,” Doncic said. “For me, it's still a learning process, but, for sure, I should have given it back to him. He was really hot down the stretch."
As for Irving, he’s not sweating over Doncic’s overtime decision to take the potential game-tying shot, and he’s just ready to get a day of rest before experiencing what should be an electric and welcoming atmosphere for him at American Airlines Center on Monday night.
“A few of those passes [Luka] passed out of the post — I have to be ready to shoot. I came to the bench and just telling those guys I've been so iso-centric being in Brooklyn,” Irving said. “I'm not used to being that decision-maker on the backside, sort of say all the time with four straight possessions, five straight possessions. I just got to be ready to catch and shoot.
“I'm excited to go back to Dallas to get in the gym and get on the gun and get ready for Monday's game where I know the adjustments are going to come, and I just got to be ready to knock them down."
And his expectations for Mavs fans in his home debut?
"Loud cheers. A lot of love,” Irving said. “Just grateful my family can be a part of it and be welcomed by the Dallas area. Be welcomed by the organization, my teammates. That's what I'm most looking forward to."
With Doncic getting his feet back under him, and Irving adjusting to his new surroundings, the best for version of the Dallas Mavericks has yet to come. The duo will look to capture its first win together against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night.
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Mavericks? Click Here.
