Dallas fans are facing their worst fears as the Mavericks struggle to stay competitive in the Western Conference. With Luka Doncic flourishing in Los Angeles, Dallas has dropped to the bottom of the standings following a painful 2-6 start and three straight losses.
The latest setback came in a narrow 101-99 defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans, intensifying fans’ frustration. Despite the loss, an encouraging sign appeared off the court from injured star Kyrie Irving, who is currently recovering from an ACL issue.
“Tribe, stay together no matter what.”
Sharing this six-word message on X, Irving aimed to lift his teammates’ spirits and remind them of unity and perseverance. Even during his rehabilitation, he remains mentally connected to the squad, cheering them on from the sidelines.
The Wednesday matchup brought emotional highs and lows for spectators who stood for nearly four minutes at the game’s opening before Max Christie’s corner three ended the ritual. They rose again late in the game, hoping for a dramatic rally that never came.
Before the game, coach Jason Kidd announced a notable adjustment: Klay Thompson came off the bench for the first time since March 2024, while D’Angelo Russell took over as the starting point guard. The shift showed Kidd’s willingness to experiment in search of better team chemistry.
Kyrie Irving’s motivational message urges unity as the struggling Mavericks seek to regain their footing amid lineup changes and mounting defeats.