After Kyrie Irving’s divorce from the Brooklyn Nets and subsequent trade to the Dallas Mavericks in February 2023, the million dollar question was whether Irving’s collaboration with Mavericks star Luka Dončić would work.

 

It may have taken the combination a season to develop synergy, but the answer is a loud yes following the Mavs’ 117-116 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night, which secured a position in the Western Conference Finals.

NBA viewers witnessed Dončić and Irving’s obvious enjoyment of one other’s presence following Dallas’ series-ending triumph.

Dončić and Irving exchanged a genuine post-game embrace.

The two Mavs stars smiled as they took the platform for their postgame news conference and were asked what they mean to each other as “brothers and teammates.”

“[Irving’s] nothing but supportive of everything I did,” Dončić said. “Just helped me mature a lot, realize to see the game in a different way, and obviously on the court it’s amazing to play with a guy like him…The leader he’s been for us, not just for me but for us, he’s been amazing, always positive energy.”

Then it was time for Irving, who mentioned how Dončić has “pushed him” in multiple ways, to speak.

“I don’t have a perfect journey, so coming into this environment, I was unsure how we were going to work out on the court but off the court I knew eventually that I would get [Luka] to open up,” Irving said. “This guy’s a big teddy bear at times off the court, big competitor.

“A teddy bear who likes to compete. He’s still ducking me in dominoes…I just have to sit back and marvel at his talent…I enjoy watching him be a father, I enjoy watching him develop as a person first, and then the basketball stuff will take care of it.”

Irving concluded by stating that he “wants to be a teammate and brother next to him [Luka], who helps him grow as a man.”

Dončić and Irving are well-known for their exceptional basketball abilities. However, the bond the two have developed off the court is far more valuable than any triple-double or jaw-dropping crossover.

And the Mavericks, who await the victor of Sunday’s Game 7 between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, are about to find out how far this fantastic alliance can go them.