Mavericks are excelling after Luka Doncic trade

The Dallas Mavericks' decision to trade franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic was met with heavy scrutiny, and early injuries — most notably to Anthony Davis — only fueled the criticism. However, despite the doubts, the Mavericks are thriving without their former Slovenian superstar.

Dallas has won five of its last six games, securing impressive victories over the Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors. On Friday, the Mavericks extended their winning streak to three games with a 111-103 triumph over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Kyrie Irving led the charge, scoring 35 points on 11-of-22 shooting, including five made threes. His stellar performance marked his third consecutive 30-plus-point outing, coinciding with the Mavericks' current hot streak.

Since Doncic's departure on Feb. 2, Irving has flourished as the team’s offensive focal point. He averages 28.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 37.9 percent from beyond the arc. Over that span, his scoring average ranks eighth in the NBA, highlighting how he has thrived in an expanded role.

Following the win over New Orleans, Irving spoke to NBA TV about his evolving leadership role and the impact of his new teammate, Max Christie, who arrived from the Lakers as part of the Doncic trade.

“I usually get here four-and-a-half hours before the game, Max Christie beat me here to the arena tonight, one of the few young guys that actually beats me to the arena. So we were smiling about that," Irving said.

"So we’ve got guys on the team that love the game, and want to show up early, and do the little things it takes to win at a very high level.”

While much of the trade chatter focused on the superstar swap of Doncic and Davis, Christie has quietly emerged as a key contributor. In seven games with Dallas, the 22-year-old wing has averaged 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting a scorching 47.2 percent from three-point range.

Standing at 6-foot-5, Christie has shown two-way potential throughout his young NBA career. With extended playing time, his production has reached new heights in Dallas. His blend of size and athleticism has made him a versatile defender, an invaluable asset for a Mavericks team adjusting to Davis's recent loss.

As Dallas continues to defy expectations, Irving has embraced his leadership role, and Christie’s rapid rise suggests the Mavericks may have found an essential piece of their future.