Statements:
BOSTON -- In a moment of sportsmanship, Kyrie Irving walked across the hardwood of the TD Garden, offering congratulations to his former teammates Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, as well as other members of the Boston Celtics. It was a gesture that occurred as the Dallas Mavericks acknowledged their defeat by substituting all starters while trailing by 21 points with 2:37 left in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Irving then made his way back to the Mavericks' bench, where he shared an embrace and some words with his teammate Luka Doncic, a superstar making his debut in the NBA Finals.
The Mavericks ultimately fell to the Celtics 106-88, allowing Boston to clinch their record-breaking 18th NBA championship.
A Bitter End to a Positive Journey
Describing the loss as a "bitter" end to a "really positive journey," Irving reflected on the Mavericks' remarkable season. The team had managed to turn around a lottery finish into a Western Conference championship over the span of a year by reconstructing the supporting cast around their star duo. This season, they demonstrated they could be a contender for years to come.
Despite the stinging defeat, Doncic struck an optimistic tone about the franchise's direction, saying he felt "great" about the future. This optimism is well-grounded considering his extraordinary postseason performance. Doncic became the first player in NBA history to lead the league in points, rebounds, assists, and steals during a single postseason, all while managing significant injuries.
Doncic sustained a right knee sprain in the first round and a thoracic contusion in the Finals opener, necessitating pregame pain-killing injections for the rest of the series. His physical condition casts doubt over his eligibility to play for the Slovenian national team this summer, as Slovenia is set to open an Olympic qualifying tournament in Greece on July 2.
Kidd’s Perspective
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd described Luka's Finals appearance as a "learning experience" and praised his performance despite the team falling short.
"For him at the age of 25 to get to the Finals and to be playing basketball at the level that he's playing, now it's just about being consistent," Kidd noted.
Quotes from the Stars
Postgame, Doncic shared his thoughts about the team's future and their esprit de corps. "We said, 'We'll fight together next season, and we just got to believe.'" He added, "We answered a lot of questions this year about what we were capable of doing, and now it's just about being consistent."
He expressed aspirations for the Mavericks to be remembered as one of the best teams of this era. "Our last few champions have been a new one each and every year, so I see an opportunity for us to really build our future in a positive manner where this is almost like a regular thing for us, and we're competing for championships."
From a more spiritual standpoint, Irving found a silver lining in the journey. "I think I enjoyed this journey more than any other season, just because of the redemption arc and being able to learn as much as I did about myself, my teammates, and the organization."
Reflecting on his struggles with injuries during the series, Doncic said, "It doesn't matter if I was hurt or how much I was hurt. I was out there. I tried to play, but I didn't do enough."
When pressed about his future, Doncic remained non-committal: "I don't want to talk about what's next, man. I have some decisions to make. I'm just trying to get a little bit healthier."
Laying the Groundwork for Future Success
Regardless of the outcome, the Mavericks' remarkable journey to the Finals has set a higher standard for the team. "When you have one of the best players in the world, you should always be fighting for a championship," summarized Kidd.
Though the Mavericks ended their season on a sour note, they have laid the foundation for future success. With a revamped roster and a determined star in Luka Doncic, the Mavericks are well-positioned to remain in the championship conversation for years to come.
The loss in Game 5 of the NBA Finals might be seen as a chapter in a longer and more compelling narrative for this franchise.