Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving Praised By NBA Fans as Mavs Avoid Finals Sweep vs. Celtics
Julia StumbaughJune 15, 2024
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving combined for 50 points during Friday night’s Game 4 to keep the Dallas Mavericks’ season alive.
The two stars led Dallas to a 122-84 blowout win over the Boston Celtics that marked the third-highest margin of victory in NBA Finals history.
The Mavericks extend the Finals to at least five games with the win. The Celtics still lead the series, 3-1.
Dallas Mavericks @dallasmavsThat 11 x 77 connection is UNMATCHED🤞 pic.twitter.com/5GrvALeRYj
The Celtics held a three-point advantage in the opening minutes of the first quarter. That would end up being the only time they held a lead Friday night.
Dončić then took over and set a Mavericks NBA Finals record by racking up 25 points in the first half.
NBA History @NBAHistoryLuka Doncic is the third youngest player to score 25+ PTS in the 1st half of an NBA Finals game.
The only players to do so at a younger age were Kyrie Irving in 2017 and Hakeem Olajuwon in 1986. pic.twitter.com/uyd0qekHBI
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahonA locked-in Luka Doncic is one hell of a player. His 25 points are the most ever in a Finals half by a Maverick, surpassing that German guy sitting courtside. Also had 3 rebounds, 4 assists and played by far his best defense of the series.
Tony Jones @TjonesonthenbaTake a bow, Luka Doncic. That was magnificent
Dončić’s early dominance helped the Mavericks pull out to a lead as high as 48 points in the fourth quarter.
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahonThe Mavs’ 48-point lead is the largest in the Finals in at least 50 years, per @ESPNStatsInfo.
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBAThe Mavericks are outscoring the Celtics in this series.
Brian Baranowski @BBaranowskiI’m sorry, but all time great teams don’t have 48 point deficits in Finals close out games.
Irving contributed 21 points while making three steals as he provided strong defensive cover on Celtics star Jayson Tatum.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportKYRIE WITH THE CLAMPS ON TATUM 🔒
(via @NBA)
pic.twitter.com/Lpy5ahfGIQ
That dominant defense allowed the Mavericks to earn their historic lead over the Celtics despite Dončić and Irving shooting a combined 1-for-14 from deep.
The performance led fans to recall when Irving helped lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a comeback from a 3-1 series deficit during the 2016 NBA Finals.
Hari 🐉🪓 @Heyhari_imagine kyrie doing it again
Swank @bkswank_Kyrie on a team to win a chip down 3-0 and 3-1 would be insane right? 👀
Dallas’ reserves then stepped up with Dončić and Irving on the bench in the fourth quarter as Tim Hardaway Jr. led bench players with 15 points, forcing the Celtics to concede their first loss in 11 games.
The dominant performance led some fans to start believing the 2023-24 Mavericks can become the first team in NBA history to recover from a 3-0 playoff series deficit.
CJ @cjayyy____Not gonna lie, if it’s one person that can come back from a 0-3 series .. Luka would be the dude to do it
Boy McGuyerton (3 time TOTW Winner) @boymcguyertonHERE WE GO: The ole down 3-1 as the away team scenario. The Mavs are now 1 elite game away from being the favorites in game 6 to force a game 7. Gonna need an all timer from Luka and Kyrie but I wouldn’t bet against them!
Panda Hank @pandahank41I won’t be surprised if they win Game 5 because it’s Luka Doncic in an elimination game ON THE ROAD.
ReggieReg @TruthsRebirthIn a single game elimination im always taking the team that has luka & kyrie. I’ll take my chances
Benedict_🇵🇹 @UmalumeSageLuka and Kyrie are capable of taking this to Game 7. And they won’t lose if they get that far.
The Mavericks will need another win, this time at TD Garden, to stay alive when Game 5 tips off Monday night.
