Dallas Basketball

Luka Doncic on Chemistry with Kyrie Irving: ‘It’s a Building Process’

After a rather disappointing ending to their season, Luka Doncic hopes he and the Mavericks haven't seen the last of Kyrie Irving in Dallas.

Michael Mulford

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DALLAS — Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks are not in the playoffs, which is a statement we wouldn’t have believed two months ago, especially after they acquired Kyrie Irving at the trade deadline. 

And yet, the Mavs struggled to find their footing in the final stretch of the regular season, going 9-18 since Irving's first game with the team and falling out of the playoff picture. This resulted in Dallas opting for draft lottery position in its final few games opposed to fighting for the final play-in spot. 

Doncic, who shared his disagreement with the franchise's decision to wave the white flag early, hopes to get another chance at playing with Irving next season.

"I wish we can continue that chemistry and relationship," Doncic said following Dallas' 138-117 season finale on Sunday. "It's not going to happen in a day, in a week. It's a building process but I would like to (keep playing with [Irving], yeah."

That 9-18 stretch since Irving joined the team is a bit muddled, as both All-Star's missed time due to injuries, but Doncic seemed confident in the duo as a fit in the present and hopefully the future.

"I think it's a great fit," Doncic said of the duo. "Chemistry and relationships takes time and I wish he can still be here."

Irving declined to speak to the media for exit interviews following Sunday's loss. His availability would have certainly revolved around his upcoming free agency, but Doncic defended his teammate, speaking highly of his character.

"He's a great player. He just wants peace. Great person," Doncic said of Irving.

After losing his buddy and running mate Jalen Brunson for nothing last offseason, it's crucial that the Mavericks re-sign Irving this offseason before Doncic starts questioning authority.

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Michael Mulford
MICHAEL MULFORD

Michael Mulford is a writer/editor for Dallas Basketball, where he extensively covers the Dallas Mavericks. He also covers the Chicago Bulls as the Managing Editor for Bulls Wire of USA Today Sports Media Group. Mulford grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and graduated from the University of North Texas in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Event, and Sports Management. He began his pursuit of sports writing in 2017 with Dallas Sports Fanatic, where he covered the Mavericks’ G League affiliate, Texas Legends. He then became the Managing Editor of Dallas Sports Fanatic just one year later and has covered the Mavericks as a credentialed media member since 2018, including covering numerous playoff games between 2021-22 and covering the team at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas in 2019. In his time covering the Mavericks, Mulford has conducted numerous interviews for exclusive stories including with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, former Maverick and current VP of Basketball Ops Michael Finley, former Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson, and more. You can follow and interact with Mulford on Twitter at @TheMulf.

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