SACRAMENTO — As a fierce competitor like Luka Doncic is, he couldn’t stop laughing after the Dallas Mavericks’ 133-128 take overtime Saturday night to King Sacramento.
That’s how Doncic likes to play with his new teammates Kyrie Irving for the first time — and how excited Doncic is about the possibility of an All-Star backcourt.
“It’s just our first game together, but it’s been fun to play with this guy,” Doncic said. “He’s a great basketball player, and I think it’s going to be fun. The first game, it was really fun.”
Doncic had 27 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists on his comeback after missing four games with a right heel injury. Irving, who is playing his third game for Dallas since being acquired in a blockbuster deal with brooklyn networkhad 27 points, seven bounces and seven assists.
But it was another All-Star guard who stole the spotlight all the way. by Sacramento De’Aaron Foxwho will make his All-Star debut after being selected as an injury replacement, continues his clutch-dominant trend by scoring 26 out of his top 36 in his game in round 4 and extra time.
However, the Mavs were encouraged by the first glimpse of Doncic playing alongside his new superstar companion.
Dallas coach Jason Kidd said: “The first time those guys played together for a few minutes, I thought it was really cool. “It’s natural, nothing forced. I think it’s a great game for us, because we really want to win.”
Doncic admitted that he was tired in the fourth quarter and had to work overtime after a long absence. He was held to a goalless draw in the fourth inning, and his only shot in extra time was a strike with five seconds left that made the Kings unafraid to surrender.
Doncic regretted taking a potentially game-ending 3-pointer on his previous hold, saying he should have passed the ball back to Irving instead of settling a disputed setback. Irving made the Mavs offense late in the game, scoring 16 points in the fourth and extra time, including a cross three seconds earlier.
“It was my fault,” Doncic said. “It should have been given back to Ky. For me, it’s still a learning process. But for sure, I should give it back. He’s really hot-tempered, so that’s for sure for me. “
However, Irving had no problem with Doncic’s shot selection in that case.
“Either way, it’s going to be a great shot, he shoots it or I shoot it,” Irving said. “There’s no pressure about ‘give me the ball’ in that situation if he feels confident enough to take the shot. …If he passes the ball to me, that could be an outcome. else, maybe not. But what-if it doesn’t matter.”
Doncic, who quickly signed Irving when the Mavs main office sought his input, was eager to adapt to play alongside an All-Star for the first time in his career. mine. Irving has considerable experience playing with other superstars, such as LeBron James with Cleveland Cavaliers And Kevin Durant with the Brooklyn Nets.
“The biggest asset I have is being able to be flexible out there and adapt to any situation they give me in the role,” says Irving. “Opinion defender, playing ball, I’ve played with people who are really dominant on the ball. So it’s nothing new, but I think it’s just a learning process that takes time.”
