Luka Doncic on relationship with Christian Wood: "He doesn't get mad at me when sometimes I yell at him, and that's what I appreciate. ... Sometimes it's hard to be with me on the court probably. I just want to win. He appreciates that, he never gets mad. ... It's working great."
Damian Lillard on advice for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: "He's in a situation where he's playing free. ... He's got a group of guys that understand he's the leader, he's the guy. ... His career is in a great position. ... I'd say the grass is not always greener on the other side..."
I asked Kyrie Irving about the Mavs' success using Zoom action and Horns sets early in games and how Luka Doncic will enhance it:
"That's a great observation. I think our play calling is pretty easy to understand, pretty easy to execute. But when you have guys that can make…
Pelicans' Zion Williamson remains adamant that Dallas is the NBA's best road city:
"Come on now. You know the answer to this. You seen the video? Don't do that. ... Dallas, baby. Dallas. Dallas is the best road city. What, what are we talking about? I would say Dallas, New…
Luka Doncic was asked about the Dallas Mavericks feeling they need to "earn" his loyalty to avoid him being the next superstar to ask for a trade.
"I saw the report. I don't know who, somebody said that I was going to request a trade. It was funny because I didn't know that was…
Luka Doncic with a crazy trick shot at NBA All-Star practice. He called “bounce” to Dereck Lively II before the shot.
Lively talks often about the wild shots Doncic tries. Even after this much time as teammate, Doncic surprises him.
Luka Doncic on Kyrie Irving playing while fasting during Ramadan: "I wouldn't be able to do it. I'm impressed. Like I said, he's different. He's different."
P.J. Washington on if he remembers ever winning four straight NBA games: "I was just telling somebody in the locker room, I think this is the longest win streak I've ever had in my career. So I'm just happy to be here."
Summer Mavs coach Jared Dudley shared his thoughts on what Jaden Hardy has to show to earn more playing time next season.
"I'm not a head coach, but he averages, what, 15 minutes? For him to get to 25, 27 minutes, his defense has to [be there] — his awareness off-ball, being…
After Sunday's loss, Kyrie Irving was asked about Luka Doncic's comments about frustrations in his post-game comments from Friday.
"I'm sure he's had some private time to acknowledge it, but when he acknowledges it in a public eye, I think it's usually suppressed emotions from a…
Luka Doncic was asked if he helped the Cowboys' Odell Beckham Jr. recruiting efforts:
"I tried, I tried... After the game, I saw him. Hopefully. I can't say nothing... Go Cowboys."
Kyrie Irving thanks Luka Doncic for putting him in a position for the game-winner: "I wouldn't have gotten that shot off without Luka tying the ball game. He was unbelievable tonight and making a lot of clutch plays, getting to the free throw line. So I give a lot of credit to…
Kyrie Irving on his third dunk this season: "Did you watch the movie Benjamin Button? What if I'm getting more athletic in my 30s? That would be a heck of a thing, wouldn't it? With no screws in my knee, with no almost bad ankle. It took me a few years to get healthy."
More:…
Luka Doncic felt he should have given the ball back to Kyrie Irving before his step-back 3 in OT:
"It's my bad. I should have given it back to Kai. 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."
Kyrie Irving on Team USA's roster process: "I grew up in a time when we actually had to try out for USAB, and we did meet up as a group and as peers, and there was a mutual respect that we earned from one another, and trying out, and then seeing what five meshed well..."
Dereck Lively II checked on Luka Doncic at least three times throughout the timeout after Doncic was hit in the face. Easy to see why Lively is often praised as a great teammate.
Derrick Jones Jr. on playing with Luka Doncic: "I have never been on a team where someone is scoring the ball like this at such a high rate and also getting his teammates involved and making sure that everybody feels comfortable on the floor. It's incredible. It's amazing. I have…
Luka Doncic said Dereck Lively II has played like a 10-year veteran: "I didn't expect this impact of him. He's been playing like he's in the league for 10 years already. I'm really proud of this guy. He works on his game, and he listens to me, so it's a great complement."
I asked Kyrie Irving about what goes into his preparation that enables him to do something like return from injury and look in rhythm:
"Well, you're usually there, right? Early watching [my pre-game on-court workouts]. I don't think it's any extra science or anything like that,…
If Nuggets' Nikola Jokic would have to pick one player to win a championship that isn't his teammate, he'd pick Mavericks' Luka Doncic:
"Luka, of course. Really good friend. That's about it."
Luka Doncic on playing more off-ball with Kyrie Irving:
"We both can play off the ball. For me, it'll be a learning process for sure. Outside of my first season, I didn't play off the ball. For a guy like him, it'll be easy."
Excited to play off-ball more?: "Yeah. For sure."
Dereck Lively II was asked about Grant Williams' viral comment: "Just going out there — why would I want to shoot a 3 if I give the ball to Luka and Kai, then they're going to knock down a step back 3 or a side step 3? Having players like that, you just have to play basketball.…
Kyrie Irving on being embraced by the Dallas community: “I have my own beliefs and views. I think, here in Dallas, I have been accepted way beyond just my talent on the court. I think it is for what I represent in the broader world.”
As the game continued, Luka Doncic often attacked out of the post to settle the Mavericks' offense. I asked Kyrie Irving about playing off of that:
"He's a monster down there in the post. He draws so much attention. A few of those passes he passed out of the post — I have to be…
Kyrie Irving has greatly enjoyed playing with Luka Doncic.
Irving: "I respect that kid, and how he goes about his business every day, and even if he's on a bad wheel, he still plays. You have to really give credit to a guy like that."
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I asked Mavericks' Kyrie Irving for insight into the development of short-range counters in his game after he converted a tough, clutch-time short-range turnaround against the Kings.
"I think the most simple answer to that is just watching the best of the best that I've ever…
Luka Doncic on his all-time ranking for LeBron James in NBA history: "I'm not doing the rankings stuff, man. I just enjoy great basketball players. That's it. He's an amazing player, an exceptional player, but I'm not doing the rankings stuff."
The Dallas Mavericks held a moment of silence for Dereck Lively II's mother, Kathy Drysdale before the team began their matchup against the Detroit Pistons.
Luka Doncic on Christian Wood's sense of humor: "He has no sense of humor. I have way more. I tell him my jokes. My jokes are great, so he's learning from me. You should ask him."
Doncic: "It's more dad jokes. It's okay. They're great jokes."
Wood: "Yeah, we're pretty close."
Luka Doncic on Pistons fans chanting "Luka sucks" during the game: "I don't know why would they do that. I love it. They know it's not true, and they keep going, so I don't know."
Suns' Kevin Durant on the Mavericks' new superstar duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving:
"You see, already, last game they played together, they lost, but they were down 20, and the fourth quarter, they both came out there, and you know, Kyrie had 26 in the fourth, Luka hit some…
Nuggets' Nikola Jokic on what makes Mavericks' Luka Doncic such a unique player:
"He's a one-man army. He's the guy who can destroy you. Who can really man manipulate the game the right way. There is no good matchup for him. If he has a smaller guy, he's gonna post him up. If…
Luka Doncic on Max Strus' shot: "Incredible shot. I have nothing much to say. Max hurt us in the 4th quarter a lot, but that was an incredible shot, man."
Doncic on the play: "That was my fault. I should have pressed up more. I was the first one, so that was my bad."
The Dallas Mavericks improved to 8-0 this season in games played without Grant Williams after defeating the San Antonio Spurs.
The Mavs had a -4.0 net rating in 1,242 minutes with Williams and a 3.9 net rating in 1,254 minutes without him on the floor.
Luka Doncic says he had the happiest day of his life with his daughter Gabriela being born and is "so sad" the Mavs couldn't quite pull off the win against the Thunder:
"First of all, it was the happiest day of my life. I got the baby, but then today's game was a big…
Kyrie Irving on playing during Ramadan and gives credit to God: " Ramadan is a special month, so it's a special time and just try not to think about the suffering too much and really focus on the journey with God and the path that you're on and, and just stay focused on that and…
Kyrie Irving made a left-handed half-court shot to beat Luka Doncic at half-court shooting at today's shootaround. Luka wanted a review.
Watch more from shootaround:
Mavericks' Kyrie Irving on the difference in All-Star effort between him and Luka Doncic:
"Is Luka in Cabo right now? Like, I think he's there right now. ... He was doing his best to get his energy up for the game. I mean, you can't blame him. He's played a lot of minutes. He…
Kyrie Irving on not being on Team USA: "I would have loved to, but I wish my brothers well, and I just didn't fit into this team. ... I have nothing but respect for those guys over at USAB. At this point in my career, I think my focus should be on winning the championship..."
Luka Doncic became the first Dallas Mavericks player to ever score 60 points in a game. Here is every single point the three-time All-NBA First-Team guard scored to achieve the feat.
NBA All-Time Points Per Game Leaders:
1. Michael Jordan: 30.1
2. Wilt Chamberlain: 30.1
3. Luka Doncic: 28.0
4. Joel Embiid: 27.7
5. Elgin Baylor: 27.4
Gregg Popovich on Luka Doncic's 60-20-10 game: "There's always something in our lives that makes you say, 'I can't believe that happened.' That was one of them for sure."
Popovich said, jokingly: "50 is going to be our goal. We're holding Luka under 50. Quote."
Luka Doncic on breaking Mark Aguirre's Mavs single-season scoring record: "[It means] a lot. It's the franchise that drafted me. They gave me, they say, 'the keys.' They say it like that, but I'm just glad I'm here in Dallas."
Daniel Gafford on Dereck Lively II: “It’s like I got a little brother that’s taller than me. His energy coming towards the game, his maturity, the sky’s the limit for him. He’s just locked in on how he wants to progress in this league, and he just stays positive.”
Kyrie Irving highlighted some defensive breakdowns by the Dallas Mavericks, resulting in open 3s for timely makes by the Milwaukee Bucks:
"We did a good job coming out of halftime with that energy and verve we normally have. We were playing good defensive principals, and they…
Luka Doncic on Dereck Lively II: "Great. My favorite word: Amazing. But really, just a great kid. Listens to everybody. Never complains. On the court, he looks like he has played 10 years in this league already. I'm really happy he's on our team."
Luka Doncic mentioned Daniel Gafford being the type of backup center he “wanted for three years.” Doncic likes his shot blocking, rebounding, and lob threat.
Luka Doncic on the Grant Williams trade: "I think the trade was great for us. But Grant is a great guy. We have a good relationship, I'll tell you. Some people say we don't, but we have [one]."
Did Mavericks' Kyrie Irving know that Maxi Kleber's game-winning 3 against the Lakers was going in before it did?:
"Yeah, I knew [the shot was going in]. I can say it now. Yeah, I knew. I knew. ... I really was intentional with that pass because I put it right into his shot…
Mavericks' Kyrie Irving on there being "a little trouble" in the early process of adapting with Luka Doncic:
"Yeah, I mean, it's a fresh trade. So, you know, this is gonna be a figuring out process and I wouldn't call it trouble. We've dealt with some ups and downs throughout…
Kyrie Irving on the Mavericks' final possession breaking down vs. Timberwolves:
"I am still trying to emotionally recover. It is still so raw. I would have at least liked to get a shot up. Obviously, with Luka taking it in the backcourt on that steal attempt, it messed up our…
Summer Mavs coach Jared Dudley mentioned that Jaden Hardy wasn't listening to play calls and dropping his head. He attributed a halftime talk from Shammgod for turning around Hardy's play.
"I thought [Jaden Hardy] played terribly [in the] first half. He wasn't listening to the…
Dwight Powell was pretty upset after the play he felt a foul should have been called. He ripped a towel in half — Luka Doncic and Dereck Lively II were amused, with the rookie jokingly trying to rip a towel himself.
Since not being voted in as an All-Star starter, Luka Doncic is averaging 34.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 10.9 assists. He's shooting 52.1% from the floor and 42.9% from beyond the arc in this seven-game stretch.
I asked Kyrie Irving about any adjustments in his 3-point shooting approach after going 8-16 in his last two games. He mentioned getting his right elbow correctly pointed after speaking to his dad and mentioned it was something Kobe Bryant used to tell him.
"Just get my right…
Mavericks' Kyrie Irving on building chemistry with Luka Doncic after the trade:
"I've only been around him for two weeks. But we've had incredible dialogue being at the arena and also being at the practice facility for a little bit, we get to know each other a little bit. I'm…
Just a random thought here. I'm not going to lie, I struggled with getting questions off at the start of the season. It feels pretty good to get one answered by a superstar in a crowded post-game interview room in Los Angeles. I feel like I've made a lot of progress this season.
I asked Kyrie Irving about what goes into his preparation that enables him to do something like return from injury and look in rhythm:
"Well, you're usually there, right? Early watching [my pre-game on-court workouts]. I don't think it's any extra science or anything like that,…
Jason Kidd praises P.J. Washington's defense: "I love what P.J. is doing defensively for us. He's guarding everyone at a high level. And that gives us depth to play him on bigs, bigger wings, or even smalls. ... His defense is above par, and we need that."
Luka Doncic ends December averaging 35+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 10+ assists. He became the second player to average those figures while playing 10 or more games in a month.
Oscar Roberton did it in Dec. 1960, meaning Doncic did something nobody has done in 63 years.
I may not be covering my first NBA playoff series this year, but I want to thank everyone who supported my coverage of the Dallas Mavericks this season. I had lots of valuable experiences this season and feel like I grew as a result. Thanks again.
Luka Doncic was amazed by Kyrie Irving's game-winner: "It's unbelievable, man. I don't think people realize how tough of a shot that is — with the off-hand, like even to have a chance... I don't think people realize how tough that shot is."
Luka Doncic is now the first player to record 200+ points, 50+ rebounds, and 40+ assists in a single FIBA World Cup tournament in the last 30 years.
Photo: FIBA
Dereck Lively II on what Kyrie Irving is like: "Everyone thinks he's a quiet person, but I feel like the media is kind of making a misrepresentation of him. He's a great dude. He's always going to check on you, always going to make sure you're doing well mentally, physically,…
Worst Defensive Rating Since NBA All-Star Break:
30. Dallas Mavericks: 124.4
29. Washington Wizards: 122.9
28. Los Angeles Lakers: 121.5
27. Sacramento Kings: 119.1
26. Philadelphia 76ers: 117.7
Did Kyrie call Dallas a “cluster f*ck”? How Ironic. From forcing his way out of Cleveland, Boston and Brooklyn, if Dallas is what he describes it as, they are a perfect match! Carry on…
Kyrie Irving was insanely automatic on short-range jumpers and free throws in his after practice work. Whether he was taking turnarounds, fallaways, or throwing in fakes to throw off rhythm, I felt like I legitimately never saw him miss.
Kyrie Irving earned a $1M incentive for playing 58 games and the Dallas Mavericks winning 50 games. In NBA language, this was deemed an "unlikely" incentive.
Irving in camp: "I wanted everything that was structured in my contract incentive-wise to be based on production."
P.J. Washington on if tonight's win over the Suns felt like playoff basketball: "I don't know. I have never been to the playoffs. ... I guess [it did]."
Did it feel like play-in basketball?: "It felt a little better than play-in basketball."
Jason Kidd says Dereck Lively II likely would have been "a top 3 or 4 pick" if the NBA knew he'd make the type of impact he's currently providing the Dallas Mavericks.
Anthony Davis on who he enjoyed being around the most: "Luka and Jokic. Those guys are comedy. They're really funny. It's good to be on the other side of all the plays they make happen. ... Those two guys were very great."