Luka Dončić focuses on the Los Angeles Lakers, but took the time to help lift the spirit of a former teammate of the Dallas Mavericks who will miss the rest of the season due to an injury.
Veteran guard Kyrie Irving broke an ACL against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night, ending her season prematurely and hurting the hopes of the Mavericks playoffs.
Dončić published in his history of Instagram a photo of him and Irving hugging with the legend: “You will make my brother stronger!”
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The Guard of the Dallas Mavericks, Kyrie Irving (11) reacts with the guard of Dallas Mavericks, Luka Dončić (77) during the second half against the Boston Celtics during game 4 of the NBA finals of 2024 at the American Airlines Center. (Kevin Jairaj/USA Today Sports)
Dončić calling Irving his brother in the position clearly shows that they are still friends after the shocking exchange of success before the NBA deadline last month.
Dončić and Irving were a dynamic duo in the 2½ seasons that played together in Dallas, which included a race towards the NBA finals during the 2023-24 campaign.
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Both guards averaged 40 minutes per night, while Doncic averaged 28.9 points per game at 22.1 Irving points.
They were opponents on February 25 for the first time since the exchange, and Dončić had a triple double-19 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists-in the 109-99 victory of the Lakers.
The Guard of the Dallas Mavericks, Kyrie Irving, on the left, celebrates with the Guard of the Dallas Mavericks, Luka Dončić, during the last quarter against the Grizzlies of Memphis at the American Airlines Center. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn images)
Irving kept the MAVs with 35 points, but it was not enough to get the victory on the road.
The Mavericks and the Lakers face again on April 9, but it will be without Irving, who does not believe it returns to some time during the 2025-26 season.
That game will mark Dončić’s return to American Airlines Center, where fans celebrated a public “funeral” to deal with the shock of their departure through trade.
Irving is nine times All-Star, three times honored All-NBA and NBA champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
Los Angeles Lakers Luka Dončić (77) and the Dallas Mavericks Guard, Kyrie Irving (11) try to obtain control during the first quarter on Crypto.com Arena. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn images)
In its 14th NBA season, Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.6 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 50 games for the Mavericks this season.
