Inside The Nets

Dorian Finney-Smith relishes his first game against his former team

In his first game back in Dallas after the trade, Finney-Smith balled out.

Peter Sunjic

© Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports
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Dorian Finney-Smith was part of the trade that saw Kyrie Irving heading to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for him, Spencer Dinwiddie, and a haul of draft picks. It was a significant move for Finney-Smith as he played 469 games (including the Playoffs) for the Mavs from 2016 to 2023.

Now, he just played his first game back in Dallas against the Mavericks where he had a solid performance. DFS started as the small-ball center, scoring 12 points and grabbing seven rebounds, holding his own against bigger centers Dereck Lively III and Dwight Powell. He was ecstatic in his return as he was motivated to perform well.

“It was all love. The fans were welcoming. I think they were cheering for me when I was hitting shots,” Finney-Smith said in his post-game presser. “The tribute was amazing, they had videos of me being in the community and just being who I am”

Finney-Smith loved his time in Dallas

Before the game, Finney-Smith admitted that he was excited to be back in Dallas as he got to enjoy the city again while also getting to see his kids who stayed in Dallas after the trade. He felt it was a warm welcome everywhere he went which showed that he made an impact in Dallas beyond basketball.

He was involved in many community events in his seven years in the city. Basketball-wise, Dorian had a good role on the Mavs as a reliable 3-and-D player, who could do all the little things on the court. He resonated with the fan base, hence why he got such a positive reaction during the game.

Dallas superstar Luka Doncic made sure to show love to his former teammate, even noting that they will play together again in the future.

Finney-Smith is ready to move forward with Brooklyn

Now that he’s with the Nets, DFS is continuing to play and carve out a role with the team. He is seen as a piece that could slot into any role that coach Jacque Vaughn would like him to play. This was evident in the game against the Mavs where he started as a small-ball center with Nic Claxton's absence.

As the University of Florida product is poised to be a crucial asset for Brooklyn in the coming years, offering solid contributions on both offense and defense, along with providing a seasoned presence in the locker room among the team's veterans.

Kyrie Irving wants to move past his history with the Nets ahead of his first game against Brooklyn: "I don’t want to play the blame game"

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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