Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving Amaze Fans as Mavs Beat Victor Wembanyama, Spurs

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVFebruary 15, 2024

Sam Hodde/Getty Images

Victor Wembanyama had 12 points in the first four minutes of Wednesday’s matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks, and it appeared as though the young rookie might weave enough magic to pull off the upset.

Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving weren’t interested in all that sorcery.

The duo lit up the young Spurs, each toying with a triple-double in a 116-93 win. Dončić put up 27 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and two blocks—and he didn’t even play the fourth quarter—while Irving added 34 points, nine boards and seven dimes.

NBA TV @NBATVLuka with the dime to Kyrie 👀 pic.twitter.com/hxxyZGRhc3

Bally Sports Southwest @BallySportsSWLuKA doNcIc d0eSNnT pLaY DeFeNSe#MFFL | @dallasmavs on @BallySports 📺 pic.twitter.com/WrCelEdRys

NBA @NBALuka Doncic finishes the circus runner despite contact 💪

Spurs-Mavs | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/3ths7rj1ia pic.twitter.com/0w6x7ZpUV4

Bally Sports Southwest @BallySportsSWCan Luka Doncic have this dance? 🪩 💙 #MFFL | @dallasmavs on @BallySports 📺 pic.twitter.com/vak9zXS5QZ

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportKyrie TOUGH lay on Wemby 👀 pic.twitter.com/7ouO9K8N3G

Wemby was excellent, as usual, providing 26 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three blocks. The Rookie of the Year argument is essentially over, barring injury.

Bally Sports San Antonio @BallySportsSAin his bag early! 💰🤑@wemby | #PorVida | @Spurs | @BallySports 📺 pic.twitter.com/L1svdJbOfJ

NBA @NBAVictor from DOWNTOWN 🎯

Wemby (12 PTS) is off to a hot start early in the 1Q 🔥

Spurs-Mavs | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/3ths7rj1ia pic.twitter.com/yQXEJojcjr

But he was outgunned in this one, and NBA fans and pundits had to give Luka Magic and Irving their flowers on social media:

Bally Sports Southwest @BallySportsSWKyrie Irving was special tonight. #MFFL | @dallasmavs on @BallySports 📺 pic.twitter.com/cukEPPzV3P

MavsMuse @MavsMuseLuka & Kyrie tn: All Spurs starters:

61 PTS 56 PTS
21 AST 15 AST
26/42 FG 22/59 FG
+ 42 – 65

— Best duo in the association ¯_(ツ)_/¯ pic.twitter.com/ZcOtRoAStB

Mavs PR @MavsPRKyrie Irving (34 pts, 9 rebs, 7 asts) and Luka Dončić (27 pts, 9 rebs, 8 ast) combined for 61 points, 18 rebounds and 15 assists in tonight’s win over San Antonio. It marked the first time they each recorded 25+ points, 8+ rebounds and 5+ assists in the same game as teammates. pic.twitter.com/tyypAGc9xY

Stephen Patiño @YaBoySteviePLuka and Kai are the best backcourt, and the Mavs have a legit center rotation and actual roster depth 😭😎pic.twitter.com/0sY12ZuOkJ

Jay @JayJay2niceWill the media talk about Mavs 6 game winning streak and how Luka should be moving up in the MVP race or will they bring up players not wanting to play in Dallas again ?🤦🏾‍♂️

Kevin Gray Jr. @KevinGraySportsLuka Doncic’s footwork is out of this world man, that turnaround fadeaway was pure filth 😂 #MFFL

victor @yslvicluka doncic is the MVP and my valentine

Daniel Gafford Fan Page @haleymfflWe really have Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, and Dereck Lively on our team.

Kevin Morrell 🇺🇸 @KevinMorrellDFWIt’s a treat being able to watch Kyrie Irving. Dude is a total baller!

Hashim @Fsoc_LogicKyrie Irving👑❤️🫡

The win moved the Mavericks to 32-23 on the season, and they’ll head into the All-Star Break on a six-game winning streak. The Spurs, meanwhile, dropped to 11-44.

It surely was an interesting day in Dallas, as ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said on the latest The Hoop Collective Podcast (26:45 mark) that Dončić’s playing style has potentially deterred stars from joining forces with him.

“As great of a player as Luka is—and we just talked about him being one of four legit MVP candidates this year—he is as ball-dominant as any player in the league, and there are guys around the league, I’m sure you guys have both talked to players, who don’t necessarily want to play with Luka because of that,” he said.

That may be the case, but Dončić and Irving have the Mavericks cruising in the moment. If they can keep up their current form after the All-Star Break, they’ll be on the shortlist of teams that could genuinely get out of the Western Conference and win a title this season.