Dirk Nowitzki Dallas Mavericks
Photo: Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Dirk Nowitzki has no doubts that Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis will be ready for the first-round playoff clash with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Mavs legend is confident the duo of Doncic and Porzingis will be up for the challenge when Dallas squares off against the Clippers.

“I got to play with Luka for a year, and I’ve always said that from the first practice, which was more like a scrimmage, that this kid is built different. The passes and the way he read the game already, I was super, super impressed.

I thought he would have a little more trouble adjusting to the size and the speed of the N.B.A. game, but he’s had zero problems. K.P., playing at the five now, that’s a tough, tough matchup for any team because they have to try to step out and guard him.

The way this game is going, it’s so wide open on both ends. There’s shooters everywhere. There’s always lanes to drive,” Nowitzki told Marc Stein of The New York Times.

Game 1 between the Mavs and the Clippers will take place on Monday night.