Mavs Face Important Stretch For Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving to Grow Chemistry

The Dallas Mavericks exit the NBA All-Star break to six consecutive home games, affording Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving helpful chances to gain practice reps together.

SALT LAKE CITY — With the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in the rearview, the Dallas Mavericks' focus shifts to a looming return to game action. While the team must improve defensively out of the break, the ongoing development of chemistry with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving remains essential. 

"I've only been around him for two weeks," Irving said. "But we've had incredible dialogue being at the arena and also being at the practice facility for a little bit, we get to know each other a little bit."

While Doncic quickly departed to Mexico after his obligations in Salt Lake City ended, the two superstars will have some opportunity to continue to get familiar with each other before returning to game action. Irving is looking forward to doing so. 

"I'm looking forward to the time that we have after this All-Star Break where we have some home games, we can break some bread with our families, and just really include everybody that's gonna be on this journey with us," Irving said.

Mavericks' Kyrie Irving on building chemistry with Luka Doncic after the trade:

"I've only been around him for two weeks. But we've had incredible dialogue being at the arena and also being at the practice facility for a little bit, we get to know each other a little bit. I'm… pic.twitter.com/mxmn9F4ltr

— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) February 20, 2023

The on-court chemistry-building process is still young with 22 regular season games remaining and only two games played together. It doesn't have an extensive period to ramp up before the playoffs. Mistakes will be made as that process plays out, but Irving is embracing it. 

“I wish we could have training camp together where you guys don’t see some of our mistakes, but we’re living it out in front of you guys," Irving said. "For me, I just have to prepare to be an incredible teammate, of course, but also be selfless enough to change my approach game-to-game. You’ve got to be flexible and adaptable.”

The Mavs will have an opportunity to gain practice time with Doncic and Irving as participants for the first time since completing the trade before resuming their regular season schedule. With six consecutive home games and no shortage of opportunities for practices along the way, Dallas has a valuable stretch to take advantage. 

Irving has barely had time to practice since being traded to the Mavs, in general, since the transaction occurred while the team was in the middle of a lengthy road trip. His only full practice with the team was at USC the day before his debut with the team. There hasn't been a chance to practice since. 

The actual NBA All-Star Game proved to be a helpful opportunity for Doncic and Irving to bond on a personal level. It certainly only helped that both players were picked to play for Team LeBron, enabling them to share the court teammates, and to sit on the sidelines together when they weren't playing. 

“It was great, man. We had a lot of laughs. He’s a great guy," Doncic said of Irving. "We talk a lot, so it was great to have him here.”

The priorities for the Mavs goes well beyond the Doncic and Irving duo clicking on the court. The team is in dire need of improving defensively as they rank 24th in defensive rating on the season, and 23rd over their previous five games. 

Maxi Kleber's return from injury looms large. With chances to fine tune things on the practice court, perhaps the Mavs can achieve improvement in that area. The lack of rim protection and size on the perimeter has been apparent limitations of the team's current personnel. Can coaching overcome it? If so, Doncic and Irving could lead the team to impressive heights in the NBA playoffs. 

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