Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for 60 points as the Mavericks won a do-or-die game against the Kings (123-119).
It was not the first time that both superstars had a big game at the same time, but it came when the team needed that the most.
While Doncic and Irving are still adjusting to playing together, Mavericks’ head coach Jason Kidd is confident that they fit very well next to each other.
“I think Ky’s done a great job,” Kidd said after the game. “He’s a great supporting cast member. He’s played with the best players in the world for a while now, so he understands how to do that. He’s playing with one of the best in the world now with Luka. He’s just feeling his way. He leads differently than Luka.
“But I think when you look at what Luka did tonight as a leader, has started the process of him, some people say he wasn’t playing but he came out yesterday and said he was playing.
“It just shows these two are meant to be together. It just takes time. As much as you guys want to rush the process, it just takes time. That’s just the nature.
“These are not robots or AI, these are human beings. We all would like to be undefeated or have a better record, but sometimes good things you just have to be patient with.”
Despite the struggles since Irving joined the team, the Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban has made it clear that he wants to re-sign the 2016 NBA champion this summer.
