The Dallas Mavericks will be without star player Luka Doncic until at least February. Despite this setback, the reigning Western Conference champions are 6-2 in games without Doncic, showing the depth of their roster. The team is led by future Hall of Famer Kyrie Irving, whose leadership was on full display in the recent win over the Phoenix Suns. Even after losing P.J. Washington and Naji Marshall to third-quarter ejections following an altercation with Jusuf Nurkic, Irving’s game-high 20 points propelled the Mavs to a 20-11 record, securing fourth place in the West.
Kyrie Steps Up On and Off the Court
After Washington and Marshall were ejected, the NBA will surely fined both players. However, Kyrie Irving announced during the post-game press conference that he would cover their fines, stating that he felt responsible for not intervening sooner during the altercation. Irving, who makes over $41 million this season compared to Washington’s $15.5 million and Marshall’s $8.6 million, explained his reasoning in the video, adding a touch of humor by suggesting that these skirmishes could even boost the NBA’s struggling ratings this season.
The Mavericks are playing better than they did last season, when they lost to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. Once Doncic returns – likely after the All-Star break – refreshed and healthy, the team could become a serious playoff threat, we all know a healthy Doncic is maybe the best player in the NBA. Their success will largely depend on how well they fare in Doncic’s absence, but with Irving, Klay Thompson and Washington leading the way under Jason Kidd’s guidance, Dallas looks poised to remain competitive.
A Tough End to 2024 and a Challenging Start to 2025
Dallas finishes the year with two road games. First, they face the Trail Blazers, a team they have already beaten twice this season. Then they play their first game of the season against Sacramento, a franchise in turmoil after firing head coach Mike Brown and dealing with rumors of a possible trade involving All-Star De’Aaron Fox. The Mavericks’ first three games of 2025 are daunting, as they face opponents with a combined record of 68-2. They begin the year by visiting the Rockets, who currently sit one spot above them in the standings, followed by a home game against the league-leading Cavaliers, and then a road game against the second-best team in the West, the Grizzlies, who are boosted by the return of Ja Morant.
