By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After a series-clinching win and an emotional speech by Kyrie Irving in the locker room, Luka Doncic and his teammate shared the spotlight in the postgame press conference.
“I think we just stayed together. We always talk on the bench about staying together with positive energy. Today, it was a pure example of it,” the Slovenian sensation described the Dallas Mavericks coming back from a 17-point deficit to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder and clinch a berth in the Finals of the Western Conference on the latest edition of NBA Saturdays, “We said at halftime, we are not going back to OKC. And that is what we did.”
“I was doing my best not to let some tears come down from my eyes because it feels like it is a long time coming, just being back in this position, getting back to the Conference Finals,” commented Irving on delivering a speech to teammates following Game 6 of the Conference Semifinals in American Airlines Center.
Doncic, 25, posted a triple-double for a third straight game of the best-of-seven series. After combining 29 points with ten rebounds and ten assists in Game 6, he is en route to a second appearance in the Western Conference Finals.
“I think we could have won Game 2 there. We kind of got out of our way. We kind of relaxed. But it was tough playing against the Warriors,” he recalled the 2022 Playoffs and the Mavs falling to the Golden State Warriors in five games.
“I always say think about the present,” he added focusing on the 2024 NBA Playoffs Presented by Google Pixel and the upcoming challenge for the team coached by Jason Kidd.
Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets or the Minnesota Timberwolves will be on the road and is scheduled for Wednesday.