Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving Reflect on Mavericks' Hot Start, Eye 'Special' Christmas Day Showdown with Timberwolves
Luka Dončić returned from injury to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a commanding 132-108 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night. Dončić, sidelined for two games with a left heel contusion, finished with 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. His return helped secure Dallas’ 14th win in 17 games—the NBA’s best record during that stretch.
“Well, I think mine was okay. Nothing special,” Dončić said with a grin. “The important thing is that we got the win. I think everybody was involved, and that’s how we got to play. Portland has a good team with players who can really score, so we had to be locked in.”
Though Dončić started the game missing his first three shots, he quickly settled in, finding his touch on drives, creating great shots for teammates, and connecting from the free-throw line. His ability to control the tempo and dictate the offense lifted the Mavericks to a comfortable lead by halftime and they never looked back.
Dallas Mavericks’ Balancing Act
The collective success continued with Dončić as it has throughout the season. In the first half against the Blazers, Dončić (12), P.J. Washington (12), Kyrie Irving (11), Daniel Gafford (11), and Klay Thompson (10) all scored double figures. It was the first time since Dec. 2, 2009, that Dallas has had five players with 10+ points in the first half. The collective success is something Dončić appreciates about this roster.
“I think we have a lot of depth. Everybody that enters can really play,” Dončić said. “That’s a really good thing. Injuries are going to happen. It’s a long season, but everybody plays hard.”
Irving, averaging 23.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.6 rebounds this season, echoed Dončić’s sentiment about the Mavericks’ depth, emphasizing the importance of each rotation player on the team—not just the superstars.
“I mean, everybody eats—that’s the MO, man. That’s the mentality,” Irving said. “We’re a great team. Obviously, I’m scoring big numbers, or Luka’s scoring big numbers as well, but when we get five-plus guys in double figures, it’s a beautiful basketball game, especially by NBA standards. Everybody has a role on the team. You’ve got the guys that shoot the most shots, but when you get eight guys in double figures, that doesn’t happen often. That’s a moment to celebrate as a team because we were swinging the ball.”
Irving recalled his struggling shooting night in a victory against the LA Clippers without Dončić, but the Mavericks still had eight double-figure scorers. This occurred even with Irving shooting the ball 25 times.
“I didn’t shoot particularly well, even though I was throwing rocks in the ocean—I shot 6-for-25,” Irving explained. “But if you look at that stat, I got 25 shots up and eight guys still scored in double figures. I mean, that’s a heck of a game. Obviously, we don’t want to play a lot of games without Luka, but if we have to, then we’ve got to adjust to who’s out there and maximize each other’s confidence. It felt good.”
Gafford emerged as a force off the bench, finishing with 23 points on perfect 7-for-7 shooting from the field. He joined Jarrett Allen as one of the few players this season to score 20+ points on 100-percent shooting. Gafford is shooting 73.8% from the floor this season, leading the league by a 2.3% margin. He’s been highly efficient while averaging 12.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 20.4 minutes per game.
“Honestly, just having confidence in what I work on day to day, “ Gafford said. “The coaches help me build my skill set the way I want to. I just want to be as efficient as I possibly can for this team. They put a lot of trust in me when the ball is in my hands inside the paint, so I just try to put it in the rim.”
Christmas Day Spotlight
As the Mavericks look ahead, they will compete in a Christmas Day showdown against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. This marks the fifth straight year that Dallas will play on Christmas, a sign of the growing recognition the team has received on the national stage.
Since Dončić emerged as a five-time All-NBA First-Team talent, the Mavericks have remained a staple of Christmas Day action. Before his debut, the team had only appeared in three Christmas games. This Wednesday’s matchup will be their eighth overall and the fifth in a row.
Dončić’s performances on the holiday have added to his growing legacy. Last Christmas, he erupted for 50 points, 15 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 blocks in a win over Phoenix — the first player in nearly four decades to record such a stat line on Christmas Day. This time, the game will be played at 1:30 p.m. CST. To Dončić’s European fans, that is an 8:30 p.m. start time in his hometown of Ljubljana, only further adding to the nature of the situation. He’s averaging 28.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.1 assists entering this performance.
“Christmas games are special,” Dončić said. “Growing up, you watch those games. Now I get to play in one, and that’s something I don’t take for granted. It’s also cool because it’s prime time for fans back home in Europe. I know a lot of people will be watching, so I want to make sure I put on a good show.”
Irving, who will make his seventh Christmas appearance, has also had his share of holiday highlights. However, due to being sidelined by an injury last year, he hasn’t suited up on Christmas Day since 2020 in his one instance as a member of the Brooklyn Nets—recording 37 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists in a blowout victory over the Boston Celtics. His 40-point game against the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018 and game-winner over Thompson and the Golden State Warriors in 2016 are standout moments. Irving is eager to compete on Christmas Day again.
“Shout out to the NBA. They obviously want to see greatness on Christmas, so we got to give them a good show,” Irving said. “It’s nothing like having an early game too and getting home after to break bread and just watch the rest of the competitive games. I’m grateful we’re not playing at 8:30 p.m.”
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, who has played many holiday games during his career, appreciates the significance.
“It’s an honor to play on Christmas. We all grew up watching Christmas games,” Kidd said. “It shows what the league thinks of the team. These games mean a little more, and the guys enjoy being part of that spotlight.”
Focusing on the Minnesota Timberwolves
The Mavericks’ Christmas Day opponent, the Timberwolves, arrive in Dallas looking to snap a three-game losing streak. Minnesota most recently fell to the Atlanta Hawks 117-104 on Monday night, continuing a stretch in which they’ve failed to score 110 points in regulation for 14 straight games.
“We couldn’t finish around the rim again, turned it over at a high level to start the game, and got down,” Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said after the loss to Atlanta. “We missed about five wide-open shots, and they made theirs at the other end of the floor. Then turnovers hurt us late.”
However, much of the Timberwolves’ adjustment period has centered around integrating Julius Randle, who was acquired in the offseason to bolster Minnesota’s frontcourt. Randle, a former All-Star, brings scoring and rebounding, but the fit alongside Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert is still evolving.
Randle recorded 19 points and 13 rebounds against Atlanta but admitted that the offensive cohesion remains a work in progress.
“To be honest, man, I don’t know,” Randle said when asked how the Timberwolves could improve offensively. “That’s about as honest as an answer I can give you. When we’re playing with pace and moving, we can make things happen. But it’s just not consistent enough right now.”
Despite their struggles, the Mavericks aren’t taking the Timberwolves lightly. In their first meeting this season on Oct. 29, Dallas secured a 120-114 win in Minneapolis behind 35 points from Irving and a clutch late three-pointer from Dončić. Edwards led Minnesota with 37 points and showcased his explosive scoring ability.
Irving spoke highly of Edwards, who has averaged 25.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists on the season before the Christmas Day matchup. He recognized his growth and leadership for the Timberwolves.
“Just like great artists or great athletes that have come before him, [Anthony Edwards] has taken a lot from other people’s games and implemented it,” Irving said. “That’s what makes you special. That’s what makes you great. I was watching some film on him, and you can tell he really wants to win.”
Irving acknowledged Edwards’ intensity and influence on his teammates, noting how Minnesota’s young superstar has embraced the challenge of leading a franchise at a young age—a responsibility Irving once shouldered with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“When you have that mentality every single day, it’s going to carry on to your teammates,” Irving added. “He’s been vocal about wanting to get something going there. As a young player leading a franchise, that’s one of the toughest things to do. I give him credit and respect him even more.”
As the Mavericks prepare for their fifth straight Christmas Day appearance, the matchup with Edwards and the Timberwolves promises to test their defensive resilience and offensive execution.
Dallas Mavericks Reflect on Early Success
For Dončić, facing off against Edwards and the Timberwolves is another opportunity to build on Dallas’ strong stretch of 14 wins in their last 17 games.
“I think we’re in a great position,” Dončić said. “I miss games. People miss games, but I think we’re in a great spot.”
The Mavericks remain far from satisfied after a successful start to the season.
“We’re in a good seat, but still a long way to go,” Kidd said. “A lot of basketball to be played for us to get better. We believe we’ve done pretty well of late. But we can’t relax. The West is too tough. We’re not satisfied yet.”
Irving sees areas where the Mavericks could have been better earlier this season. At one point, the team was 5-7 after a four-game stretch that featured single-possession losses as areas that could have been improved.
“It’s been going well, outside of injuries and some unfortunate defensive lapses down the stretch,” Irving said. “There was a stretch where we lost four games by less than three points, and that’s difficult to stomach as a competitor. I just took those as lessons—bumps and bruises of competition. We know we’re working toward something bigger. We don’t have to keep speaking on it, but we echo that sentiment and communicate our goals as a team.”
With a 19-10 record, the Mavericks rank fourth in the Western Conference standings, with Irving providing steady contributions. He dealt with a 12-game injury absence that was ongoing during last year’s season. Dallas was 17-12 entering the victory over the Suns on Christmas Day,
“Last year, at this point, I was injured. I went down with a heel injury in Portland and didn’t get to play on Christmas in Phoenix,” Irving said. “I don’t think the team needed me—Luka had 50 and 16. But we hovered around .500. This year, guys are confident, and we’ve added great pieces. When Gaff plays like he did tonight and we can interchange bigs, it’s special. I’m grateful for the bumps and bruises—it’s going to help us later.”
Part of the Mavericks’ season has involved staying afloat without Dončić during injuries and going a highly successful 6-2 in those circumstances. Irving embraces the depth of this team and applauds the sacrifices made for its success.
“I try not to be divisive about playing without Luka. I see the narrative—when he’s out, the focus shifts, but we have great players,” Irving said. “We’re trying to build something special, like a dynasty. Luka and I sacrifice parts of our game to give others confidence. That’s beautiful to me. Seeing others succeed makes me as happy as scoring 30. We need each other.”
Irving is glad that the Mavericks’ ability to handle his absence from the lineup makes it easier for him to recover fully instead of forcing the issue, which can pay off in the long term.
“If the team isn’t doing well when you’re out, you rush back, even if injured,” Irving said. “That’s part of the business we don’t discuss. I appreciate the staff and Luka staying involved.”
Klay Thompson Nears NBA History
Thompson’s steady climb up the NBA’s all-time 3-point leaderboard continued in the background. Thompson’s three triples on Monday night brought his career total to 2,558, leaving him just two away from tying Reggie Miller for fifth place and three from surpassing the Hall of Famer.
Thompson’s pursuit of Miller carries more weight than just climbing the ranks – it’s a nod to one of his earliest basketball inspirations. Growing up, Thompson admired Miller’s ability to thrive under pressure and make shots in the biggest moments. That admiration helped shape the shooter he is today.
“I watched so much of Reggie as a kid, studying how he came off screens and how fearless he was with the game on the line,” Thompson said. “That stuck with me. Whether he made or missed, he wanted the ball in those moments.”
One play in particular stands out in Thompson’s memory – Miller’s infamous push-off against Michael Jordan before draining a game-winning three during the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals.
“I can still picture him curling to the wing and hitting that shot. That’s the type of thing I try to emulate. You leave me open, and I’m making you pay – same as Reggie did,” Thompson said.
Thompson’s recent surge has significantly influenced his pursuit of Miller’s mark. Over his last six games, Thompson has averaged 18.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 55.0% from the field and 45.3% from three-point range.
“Luka makes my job easier,” Thompson explained. “If you’re in the right spot, he’ll find you – every time. And not just find you, but put the ball exactly where you want it. That makes all the difference for a shooter.”
Thompson is set to continue his climb when the Mavericks face the Timberwolves on Christmas Day. With the national spotlight and Miller’s record in sight, all eyes will be on Thompson as he looks to cement his place among the league’s greatest shooters.
Looking Ahead
With momentum, Dončić and the Mavericks are ready to showcase their depth and resilience on the Christmas Day stage. As they gear up for the Timberwolves, Dallas looks to solidify its standing as a top contender in the Western Conference.
