After the Game 5 win at Oklahoma City, Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving called the matchup with the Thunder “one of the hardest series I’ve ever played,” according to a Dallas Morning News article (subscription required). It’s a significant statement for a player who holds a championship ring and has made three trips to the NBA Finals, but Irving explained why OKC has been an especially difficult opponent.
“It’s just really just the pace and just the physicality,” he said. “And last series was physical too, and the pace was a little different. But I think just this series, it’s challenged me physically, mentally, emotionally. I’ve accepted that and I’ve focused on the things that I can control and focused on getting my guys going early. And however the game plays out, it’s going to play out. But I’m really laying my hat on the defensive end and giving a lot of effort and and just trying to make the right plays offensively. They’re putting three on the ball at times for me and I could obviously take a lot of tough shots and I think that’s coming in the near future when it’s needed. But for right now just reading the game and allowing the basketball gods to shower me with a lot of love when you’re playing the right way.”
Irving also discussed the increased focus that Luka Doncic brought to Game 5. Doncic told his teammates before the contest that he wasn’t going to complain to the officials and was focusing on playing basketball and having fun.
“I think he’s just being smart and taking advice from the guys that have been in situations like this before and trusting that we have his back,” Irving said. “Some of the times when he’s going to the refs, he really feels like that’s an individual thing, and I think he could speak on it, too. He’s just in the moment and he’s very emotional as we all are as competitors. But the bigger picture is what matters. And him focusing his energy on the right places and specifically focusing on his shots and also doing the little things for us on the defensive end, getting rebounds like he’s doing and he’s been doing all season, it works well for us.”
There’s more from Dallas:
- The Mavericks have virtually remade their roster over the past 20 months, surrounding Doncic with a much better defensive team, observes Zach Lowe of ESPN (subscription required). Lowe suggests that the Thunder might be regretting the role they played in helping the Mavs acquire Daniel Gafford, who has provided an interior anchor for the defense. OKC traded a 2024 first-round pick to Dallas in February in exchange for the right to swap first-rounders in 2028. The Mavericks sent that pick to Washington as part of the Gafford deal.
- Second-year shooting guard Jaden Hardy appears to have replaced Dante Exum in the Mavericks’ playoff rotation, tweets Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. Hardy played nearly 15 minutes in Game 5 and although he shot just 1-of-5 from the field, coach Jason Kidd was impressed by his overall game.
- Kidd indicated that injured big man Maxi Kleber has a chance to return if Dallas reaches the conference finals, Townsend adds in a full story. Kleber suffered a right shoulder AC joint separation in a May 3 game and was scheduled to be reevaluated after three weeks. He was able to do some light shooting during Friday’s practice, Townsend adds.
Great player but I’m at the point where I can’t stand watching Luka. He’s constantly whining about fouls.
His hands are in the air after a play more often than the worship leader at the Southern Baptist Church down the street.
And now the players have taken a step further. Instead of just putting their hands in the air and crying about a whistle or even no whistle, they’re starting to circle their finger making the call review sign. It’s like almost on every play and it’s getting tiresome.
Yes I’m whining here also but I figured it’s a good place to do it. Look forward to a game seven OKC and Dallas.
Luka may go down as greatest Mav but Dirk is best IMO.
A good place to do it? On an article where it focusses on how Luka is doing less of what you are complaining about?
If the refs were able to keep up with the pace of the game we wouldn’t see this as much… The NBA needs to fix is officiating problems… It’ll make the game respected and it’s stars more likeable…
Scarlett, if you think after watching tonight’s game that Luka Doncic complained less than he usually does then okay you’re right and I’m wrong. Congratulations. But the game I watched tonight, it was nowhere near the statement above in the article which was..
“Doncic told his teammates before the contest that he wasn’t going to complain to the officials and was focusing on playing basketball and having fun.”
If you believe that’s accurate then I’m off base and you are right.
Luka complains more than he scores. Just count it in any game. He plays no D. And is always looking for a foul. Then complains when he doesn’t get it. Even if it means not running back on defense.
Luka excerts more energy on complaining than on playing defense.
Complaining about how somebody complains too much. I guess that’s why they say hypocrisy knows no bounds.
Hypocrisy ? Please. It’s called a conversation. Are you able to keep up or is the content to complicated for you?
So by your rules no one can ever make a negative comment regarding anything ever. Makes no sense.
Fans are all about complaining. Players should be all about playing, playing to win.
Unless Kyrie has an incredible second half it looks like Stephen A Smith is off base again.
I’m all for Kyrie carrying the Mavericks and winning tonight but I’ll call out a guy who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
Everyone on the face of the planet knows that when two teams are pretty evenly matched the more desperate Club will step up in a game like this and come out ahead.
Is Dallas the more veteran team and probably will take game 7 even on the road? Probably. Much in the same way Denver will probably beat Minnesota in game seven.
It seems like you have to get there first and lose oftentimes before you can get there and win. Especially a young and up-and-coming team that will probably be great for the next 3 years.
OKC pick swap involved Lively and then the additional pick went for Gafford. They are getting killed by handing Mavs that ammo.
Chet needs to stop playing so soft or they need to get another big that will be that aggressive style next to him.
OKC could use a real Center ….
A rim protector. SGA has to take over
Mitch Robinson to OKC >>>>
Always injured…not happening
PJ Washington strikes again. Why didn’t the Knicks look at him at the deadline. He’s been fantastic and much better than Burks and Boganvich. Leon Rose made a mistake. Knicks still hoarding all those picks for who???? Tell me who’s coming next???
Bogan got hurt and Burks is a scorer. Thibs just stubborn and plays 7 guys. They probably didn’t target PJ because he would have been a bench guy if Randle did return. They wouldn’t play them together as no rim protection.
PJ was a great pickup …. He looks in best shape ever to me.
Dont need PJ . OG and Randle