By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving shared the court, and the ball, for the first time in the Dallas Mavericks jersey, but even though they played well, Sacramento Kings took the W in overtime.
The Slovenian scored 25 points with nine rebounds, while Irving added 28 points, and was particularly good in the extra five minutes, and Doncic was thrilled to finally play together with one of the best ball handlers in the League.
“Amazing, man. It was only our first game together. I think it’s so fun to play with this guy. He’s an amazing basketball player. I think it’s going to be really fun. Today, first time, it was really fun,” Doncic said via Grant Afseth of Dallas Basketball.
Luka believes his teammates share his excitement.
“I think the whole team thinks that. Not just me. Exciting, man. Still a learning process, especially for me. But it’s so fun to play with him.”
Irving is also known as a clutch player, and he and Doncic could be a killing duo in crunch time.
“I think that could be really lethal for us,” he said. “I think it’s hard to guard both of us. There’s going to be fewer doubles, just we get to work.”
Slovenian just got back to the court after certain problems with the heel injury.
“I was tired,” he admitted post-game. “First game back. Overtime. I was pretty tired. It was fun to be back out there. I think you get your condition by playing games. You got to get your legs back. That’s the most important thing.”
Luka had a chance to tie the game in the dying moments but missed the crucial triple, and the Kings took advantage of it. At the same time, Kyrie Irving was on fire.
“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. That’s on me,” Luka Doncic said.