In their first full season together, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving powered the Dallas Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals for the first time since their championship-winning 2010-11 season. While the Slovenian guard has been a core member of this Mavericks team, Kyrie has significantly impacted the franchise in his first full season.
The 25-year-old Doncic was picked third overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2018 NBA Draft and traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Kyrie joined the Mavericks in February 2023, but the team failed to reach the Playoffs. However, the 2016 NBA champion’s high-scoring performances earned him a three-year contract on July 7, 2023.
Luka Doncic Vs. Kyrie Irving: NBA Career
The 6’7” Slovenian guard has played six seasons in the NBA and is currently the highest-scoring active player in a single game with 73 points. The five-time NBA All-Star is the first player in NBA history to record a 60-point, 20-rebound triple-double (60 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists). While Luka has yet to win a championship, he led the Mavericks to four playoffs with an NBA Finals finish last season.
Kyrie Irving is the 2016 NBA champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and this year, he made his fourth NBA Finals appearance. Cleveland’s first overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft has been an eight-time NBA All-Star. In addition to his success in the NBA, Irving won two gold medals with Team USA in the 2016 Rio Olympics and FIBA World Cup 2014.
Luka Doncic Vs. Kyrie Irving: 2023-24 Regular Season
Last season, Doncic recorded a career-high average of points, assists, steals, and field goal percentage. He ended the season as the scoring leader with 33.9 points per game in 70 matches. In his first full season with the Mavs, Kyrie Irving played 58 games, his most appearances in a regular season since the 2018-19 season with the Boston Celtics.
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| Statistics | Luka Doncic | Kyrie Irving |
| Games Played | 70 | 58 |
| Total Points | 2,370 | 1,487 |
| Avg Points | 33.9 (Career-High) | 25.6 |
| Avg Rebounds | 9.2 | 5 |
| Avg Assists | 9.8 | 5.2 |
| FG% | 48.7 | 49.7 |
| 3-PT% | 38.2 | 41.1 |
Also Read: From LeBron-Kyrie to Duncan-Robinson: Top 5 NBA Duos That Broke Up Too Soon
Luka Doncic Vs. Kyrie Irving: 2024 Playoffs
With a combined effort, Kyrie and Luka guided the Mavs to their first NBA Finals in 13 years. Despite recording game-high scores in four games (Luka 3, Kyire 1), Dallas lost the 2024 NBA Finals 4-1 to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s Boston Celtics.
| Statistics | Luka Doncic | Kyrie Irving |
| Games Played | 22 | 22 |
| Total Points | 635 | 487 |
| Avg Points | 28.9 | 22.1 |
| Avg Rebounds | 9.5 | 3.7 |
| Avg Assists | 8.1 | 5.1 |
| FG% | 44.6 | 46.7 |
| 3-PT% | 32.2 | 39 |
Who Has Been More Crucial?
Considering the overall impact and leadership skills, Luka Doncic manages the upper hand over Kyrie Irving. His capability to register consecutive high-scoring games and be the team’s primary playmaker makes the Slovenian an indispensable asset for the Mavs. On the other hand, Kyrie is known for his clutch performances and is also a key part of the Mavericks heading into the 2024-25 season.
The Dallas Mavericks have added four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson to their roster. With the arrival of the former Golden State Warriors star guard, the Mavericks have strengthened their chances of becoming NBA champions in the upcoming season.
