They're back. After more than a decade, the Dallas Mavericks are returning to the NBA Finals. Once again, they are being led by another European sensation. Luka Doncic's sensational performance in the 2024 playoffs has been the driving factor behind Dallas' success in this run. With Doncic (and Kyrie Irving, as well) torching opposing defenses, Dallas has had a relatively easy path to the Finals.
After the Mavericks eliminated Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Gatorade released an ad featuring the one and only Luka Doncic. The ad featured a fired up Doncic with the words “It was only a matter of time” overlaid on top. After years of excellence, Doncic has finally reached the final step towards attaining basketball greatness.
The post, naturally, garnered a lot of reactions on X. Mavericks fans, of course, were pretty happy with the attention that Luka was getting, with some even noting that he's getting the Michael Jordan treatment.
“He's getting that Mike treatment.”
“W marketing by Gatorade for Doncic”
“Dude is ridiculous.”
Doncic's performance in the playoffs has been nothing short of remarkable. The Mavericks star is averaging 28.8 points per game on 44%/34%/80% shooting, along with 9.6 rebounds and a league-leading 8.8 assists per game in the postseason. It's been one hell of an outing for Doncic, who's been destroying most defenders that teams throw at him.
Unlike the last few seasons, though, Doncic now has help. Before, the Mavericks had Jalen Brunson helping Doncic out. This time around, Doncic is flanked by the incredible Kyrie Irving. Aside from Irving, the Mavs have an elite roll threat in Derrick Lively, who's been a revelation so far this playoffs. Because of these players (and more), the Mavs are back in the Finals.
Mavericks' path to the Finals
The Mavericks have had a rocky run to the Finals in the 2024 NBA playoffs. In the first round, they were up against a familiar foe in the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite the talent on the Clippers, the Mavericks proved to be the better team. Injuries did play a part, but even in the games where LA was fully healthy, the Mavs looked much, much better.
In the second round, the Mavericks faced their toughest opponent: the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite being the younger team, OKC gave Dallas their best and then some. The series went to seven games, even when the Mavs found themselves down 3-2 in the series. In the end, the Mavericks' collective experience edged out OKC's greenness, and they advanced.
Many expected the Mavericks' series against the Thunder to be a shootout. And in some ways, it was: almost all of the games went down to the wire. The closeout Game 5 was the only blowout game. Again, though, it was Dallas' experience in handling high-pressure scenarios that allowed them to take the series 4-1. It was not as easy as the final standing suggested… but it was still over in five games.
The Mavericks will now face their toughest test yet in the Boston Celtics. The Celtics have been easily the best team in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers in the ECF, but that wasn't easy as well. We'll see how good this Mavericks team can be in the grandest stage of them all.
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