There are good vibes all around the Dallas Mavericks. Before Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving successfully closed out another fourth quarter in a 116-107 Game 3 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team's social media department made sure to have some fun.
Texas native and three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes and all-time great tight end Travis Kelce sat courtside in American Airlines Center on Sunday night to witness the action, but the Kansas City Chiefs stars did not receive an equal amount of hospitality from the crowd, or the Mavs.
“Our guy Pat and {Taylor Swift's} boyfriend in the house!” the Mavericks' X account posted. Kelce, who has Midwestern roots, did not appear to have Dallas' full support. Though, no innocuous jokes about his relationship are going to faze him at this point.
Kelce is completely aware that Swift's global status trumps that of his own and most public figures. He is also accustomed to being labeled a villain and showered with boos on more than one occasion. Historic team and individual success has earned him the luxury of being able to laugh off the jabs, or better yet, use them as fuel.
Travis Kelce showed the utmost support to the Mavs, congratulating Doncic following the critical victory. The four-time First-Team All-Pro selection knows the indescribable jubilation that comes with winning a championship, and by the end of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the Slovenian supernova might as well.
Mavericks continue remarkable turnaround
Despite Anthony Edwards posting his best Western Conference Finals showing by far (26 points, nine rebounds and nine assists), the Timberwolves could not match the Mavericks' firepower. Karl-Anthony Towns scuffled immensely yet again (5-of-18 shooting, 0-of-8 from 3-point range) and the lauded defense failed to slow down the terrific Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who each scored 35 points in Game 3.
Consequently, Dallas is now on the precipice of reaching the NBA Finals for the third time in franchise history, holding a commanding 3-0 lead. Naturally, the entire organization feels giddy. The Travis Kelce joke indicates as much. After last season ended in utter disappointment, the Mavs' stellar 2023-24 campaign has instantly restored fans' confidence. Enthusiasm is surely filling the halls of the American Airlines Center.
Come Tuesday, however, the players will presumably be all business. Although no team has ever survived an 0-3 NBA Playoffs deficit, the Mavericks know how dangerous it is to underestimate a defensive powerhouse like the Timberwolves. Furthermore, they want to win the West on their home floor.
Head coach Jason Kidd played point guard for Dallas the last time it competed for the sport's top prize. He helped the team hang up its first championship banner in 2011, and now the Hall of Famer looks to add the second in 2024.
Perhaps the presence of proven winners like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce could be the extra motivation the Dallas Mavericks need when they try to finish off Minnesota.
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