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Dallas Mavericks timeline: From the Luka Dončić trade to Kyrie Irving's injury — what a mess

yahoo sports staff
·6-min read

The Dallas Mavericks' season continues to reach new lows. Luka Dončić is gone. Anthony Davis has yet to return. And now Kyrie Irving is done for the season. Here's a timeline of the Mavericks' miserable season, starting on Christmas Day.

The Mavericks star left the team's 105-99 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half on Christmas Day due to a left calf injury — an injury that would sideline Dončić for more than a month.

Lively was diagnosed with a fractured foot, sidelining the Mavs' breakout star indefinitely. In 32 games, including 25 starts this season, Lively had averaged 9.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 blocks while shooting 70.1% from the field in 24 minutes per game.

In perhaps the most shocking trade in NBA history, Dallas sent Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a first-round draft pick in a three-team deal that also included the Jazz.

Following the news of the trade, which broke after midnight on the East Coast, Mavs GM Nico Harrison told ESPN: “I believe that defense wins championships. I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future.”

At the introductory news conference for Dončić, Lakers executive Rob Pelinka thanked Nico Harrison for trading Dončić to Los Angeles, calling it "a gift."

Dončić, who still looked stunned two days after the trade, said he would "take the high road" in response to comments made about him from the Mavericks after the trade was made.

Ahead of the Dallas' first home game after the trade, Mavericks fans protested outside of American Airlines Center. Some signs called for Nico Harrison to be fired. Other fans called for the team to be sold.

In his first game with the Mavericks, Davis was impressive, totaling 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in only 31 minutes. But, in the third quarter, he exited the game with a lower-body injury. After the game, Davis told reporters that it was "nothing serious." But the next day it was reported that Davis had suffered an adductor strain and would miss weeks.

In his first public comments about the trade in an interview with The Dallas Morning News, Dumont cited "character" and "culture" as reasons for the trade. Dumont also said, "If you look at the greats in the league, the people you and I grew up with — [Michael] Jordan, [Larry] Bird, Kobe, Shaq [O’Neal] — they worked really hard, every day, with a singular focus to win. And if you don’t have that, it doesn’t work. And if you don’t have that, you shouldn’t be part of the Dallas Mavericks."

Dončić made his Lakers debut against the Jazz, draining his first points with the Lakers on a 3-pointer from the top of the key just a few minutes into the contest. Dončić finished with 14 points in a 132-113 win. He added five rebounds and four assists in what was his first game back after the calf injury he suffered on Christmas.

Luka Doncic (77) de los Lakers de Los Ángeles reacciona tras durante el partido contra los Mavericks de Dallas, el martes 25 de febrero de 2025, en Los Ángeles. (AP Foto/Mark J. Terrill)
Luka Dončić recorded a triple-double against his former team. (AP Foto/Mark J. Terrill)

During a home game against the Sacramento Kings, Mavericks fans were ejected from their seats at American Airlines Center after calling for the firing of general manager Nico Harrison. A fan drew the attention of the video board's producers during a karaoke segment. But instead of singing along, he appeared to mouth the words "Fire Nico." Another video showed what appeared to be the same fan and his neighbor holding up signs that distinctly read: "Fire Nico." They were escorted out of the arena by security.

During the game against the Kings, Mavericks big man Daniel Gafford had to be helped off the court in the second quarter after his right knee buckled while he tried to set a screen. It marked the latest big man to go down with an injury for the Mavs, who were also without Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II and Dwight Powell.

At the NBA's All-Star Weekend, the trade was still the talk of the league, even among the stars. "Two weeks later, it's still the craziest trade I've ever seen," said the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama.

At Adam Silver's press conference, the commissioner also addressed the trade and concern about the Mavericks' future in Dallas. "Whether or not history will judge this as a smart trade, they did what they thought was in the best interest of the organization," said Silver. "I have absolutely no knowledge or belief that there were any ulterior motives. There is no doubt in my mind that the Dumont and Adelson families bought that team to keep it in Dallas. I have no doubt whatsoever that they are committed to the long-term future there."

During an appearance at 96.7 The Ticket's Ticketstock event, Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki shared his reaction upon first hearing that Dončić had been traded. He also discussed what it was like seeing Luka in a Lakers uniform: "I’ll never be a Lakers fan, but I must always be a Luka fan."

Dončić reunited with the Mavericks and recorded his first triple-double as a member of the Lakers in a 107-99 win against his old team. He finished with 19 points on 6-of-17 shooting, 15 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and two blocks. After the game, Doncic said: "I am just glad it’s over."

March 2: Quentin Grimes scores 44 points ... for Philly

Grimes, whom the Mavericks also traded away at the deadline, scored a career-high 44 points for the Philadelphia 76ers. The 24-year-old guard, who will be a restricted free agent, had averaged 10.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 22.8 minutes over 47 games for Dallas. That has jumped to 16.5 points and 5.5 rebounds with Philly.

The team announced it was raising ticket prices for next season, citing "ongoing investments in the team." The price hike will result in an average overall price increase of 8.61%, WFAA reported. As expected, season ticket-holders were not happy about the increase.

Mavericks star Kyrie Irving will miss the rest of the NBA season after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Irving went down early in the team's 122-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday night. Irving was driving to the hoop late in the first quarter at the American Airlines Center when his left knee bent awkwardly as he attempted a layup.