The 2023-24 Dallas Mavericks reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011. Even though they fell to the Celtics, the run itself was something this city will never forget.
The regular season: 50-32 record, 5th seed in the Western Conference. The Kyrie Irving trade from the previous February finally paid dividends as he and Luka developed genuine chemistry.
The playoff path:
Round 1 vs. Clippers (4-2): The Mavs dropped Games 1 and 2 on the road, then rattled off 4 straight. Luka averaged 31.8 PPG in the series. Kyrie had 36 points in the Game 5 closeout.
Round 2 vs. Thunder (4-2): The young OKC team pushed Dallas but Luka was transcendent. His Game 4 triple-double (30-12-11) with the game-winning stepback three is one of the greatest playoff performances in Mavs history.
WCF vs. Timberwolves (4-1): The defining series. After losing Game 1 by 20, Dallas won 4 straight. The defensive adjustments on Anthony Edwards were masterful. Daniel Gafford's rim protection limited Minnesota's drives.
NBA Finals vs. Celtics (1-4): Boston was simply the better team. The Celtics' depth and defensive versatility overwhelmed Dallas. Luka averaged 28.3 PPG but shot 38% as Boston threw multiple defenders at him.
The legacy of the run: The 2024 Finals appearance proved that Luka and Kyrie could be a championship-level duo. It energized the DFW basketball scene in a way that had not been felt since 2011.
Sources:
- Basketball Reference — all series stats
- ESPN — game recaps and analysis
- The Athletic — inside reporting on the playoff run
Agree or disagree?
That run changed how the national media views this franchise. We went from a punchline to a legitimate contender overnight. The foundation is there.