Besides, Dallas just made it to the Finals last year largely on the strength of its defense. From the P.J. Washington trade to the end of the 2023-24 campaign, the Mavericks were seventh in points allowed per 100 possessions. In the playoffs, the Thunder and Celtics were the only teams that made it past the first round and had better defenses.

On Wednesday, April 9, Luka Doncic returns to the American Airlines Center in Dallas for the first time since being traded by the hometown Dallas Mavericks, who are hosting his new team, the Los Angeles Lakers.