Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) and Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11). Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Ominous stat bodes well for Mavericks' NBA title hopes

By Sai Mohan | Last updated 5/21/24

Remember when ESPN's analysts gave the Mavericks a D grade for acquiring Kyrie Irving from the Nets? Irving sure remembers. After the Mavericks clinched a playoff spot in April, Irving voluntarily called out everyone who doubted his potential pairing with Luka Doncic.

Then, after the Mavs clinched a conference finals berth last weekend, Doncic echoed similar sentiments.

"We don't really care what other people have to say," Doncic said as Irving sat beside him with a wry smile.

The duo has definitely silenced doubters, but the mission is far from complete. The Mavs are eight wins away from clinching their first NBA title since 2011, but one stat bodes well for their chances.

Irving and Doncic have combined for 48.3 points per game this postseason en route to their first trip to the conference finals. The three duos who averaged more points before went on to win it all (excluding the Orlando bubble where LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for 55.3 points).

Even other famed duos such as James and Dwyane Wade (48.2 in 2011) and Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen (47.9 in 1989) weren't as productive en route to their first conference finals.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for 48.3 PPG on their way to the Conference Finals.

The 4th most by a duo in their first postseason together, the three above them went on to win the NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/mHjVU1s36J
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) May 20, 2024

In fairness to those who doubted the Doncic-Irving pairing, the latter had garnered the reputation of an unreliable superstar in the years leading to his trade to Dallas.

After his flameouts in Boston and Brooklyn, analysts were justified in doubting Irving's commitment to making things work in Dallas.

Irving credits Doncic for helping him mature as a person.

"I just think this guy next to me [Doncic] has pushed me to continue to work on my game and continue to develop as a young leader," Irving said, via Mavs.com. "I think the big word that we both can agree on is just maturity. Coming into Dallas I was dealing with a lot — mentality, spiritually, emotionally — and they embraced me with open arms. I don't have a perfect journey, so coming into this environment I wasn't sure how we were going to work out on the court. But off the court I knew eventually that I would get him to open up."

The success of LuKai is proof that talent always prevails.

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