The sequel has been much better for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as Mavs head to West finals
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are headed to the Western Conference finals in their first trip to the playoffs together
DALLAS (AP) — A smiling Luka Doncic pumped his fist as he settled in next to Kyrie Irving to answer questions about the Dallas Mavericks advancing to the Western Conference finals for the second time in three seasons.
Doncic's co-star wasn't there for the run that ended with a five-game loss to eventual champion Golden State two years ago. Irving hasn't played this deep in the playoffs since he and LeBron James were together in Cleveland seven years ago.
And don't think that didn't occur to the eight-time All-Star in the locker room, considering all the chaos and controversy — plenty of it self-inflicted — surrounding Irving since then.
“I had to make an impromptu speech, and I was doing my best not to let some tears come down from my eyes because it feels like it’s been a long time coming just being back in this position,” Irving said after Dallas ousted top-seeded Oklahoma City with a 117-116 victory in Game 6 on Saturday night.
