Luka Dončić is focused on Los Angeles Lakers, but he took the time to help lift the spirits of a former Dallas Mavericks teammate who will miss the rest of the season due to injury.
Veteran Guard Kyrie Irving tore an ACL against Sacramento Kings on Monday night, ending his season prematurely and injuring Mavericks’ playoffs.
Dončić posted on his Instagram story a picture of him and Irving embrace with the headline, “You come back stronger MI Hermano!”
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Dallas Mavericks Guard Kyrie Irving (11) responds with Dallas Maverick’s guard Luka Dončić (77) during the second half against Boston Celtics during match 4 in 2024 NBA Finals at the American Airlines Center. (Kevin Jairaj/USA Today Sports)
Dončić, who calls Irving his brother in the position, clearly shows that they remain friends after the shocking blockbuster trade before the NBA deadline last month.
Dončić and Irving were a dynamic duo in the 2½ seasons they played together in Dallas, which included a race for the NBA final during the 2023-24 campaign.
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Both guards were an average of 40 minutes per day. Night, while Doncic average 28.9 points per night. Fight for Irving 22.1 points.
They were opponents on February 25 for the first time since the trade, and Dončić had a triple-double-double-19 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists in lakers’ 109-99 victory.
Dallas Maverick’s guard Kyrie Irving, Left, celebrates with Dallas Maverick’s guard Luka Dončić in the fourth quarter against Memphis Grizzlies in the American Airlines Center. (Kevin Jairaj/Imag- Pictures)
Irving kept Mavs in it with 35 points, but it wasn’t enough to get the victory on the road.
Mavericks and Lakers face each other again on April 9, but it will be without Irving that does not expect to return to a while during the 2025-26 season.
This game will mark Dončic’s return to the American Airlines Center, where fans held a public “funeral” to cope with the shock of his departure via trade.
Irving is a nine-time all-star, three-time all-nba Honoree and an NBA champion with Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
Los Angeles Lakers Guard Luka Dončić (77) and Dallas Mavericks Guard Kyrie Irving (11) try to gain control during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imag- Pictures)
In its 14th NBA season, Irving was an average of 24.7 points, 4.6 assists and 4.8 rebounds over 50 games for Mavericks this season.
