On June 18, the Dallas Mavericks suffered an 88-106 defeat to the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, losing the series 1-4 and missing out on the championship. Despite falling short of their second title, the Mavericks’ journey, having entered the playoffs as the fifth seed in the Western Conference and not being favored, can be considered a success after defeating the Clippers, Thunder, and Timberwolves, three formidable teams.
Last season, the Mavericks failed to make the playoffs, with Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving’s partnership receiving skepticism from many analysts and fans. However, this season, the Mavericks quickly turned things around, especially after acquiring Montrezl Harrell and Ish Smith mid-season, which significantly bolstered their frontcourt. They finished the regular season in fifth place in the West.
In the playoffs, without home-court advantage in any round, Dallas overcame the star-studded Clippers and the top-seeded Thunder, both in 4-2 comebacks. In the Western Conference Finals, they swept past the Nuggets-slaying Timberwolves 4-1, securing their first Finals appearance in 13 years.
Yet, in the Finals, Kyrie struggled in all three games in Boston, and the team’s depth proved inferior to the Celtics’. Coupled with a lack of championship experience, relying solely on Dončić wasn’t enough to overcome the talented Celtics squad. Nevertheless, looking at the entire season, the Mavericks’ campaign was a success. If they can strengthen their bench for next season, they will remain strong contenders for the title.
