After Mavs partnership stalled, Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis duel in NBA Finals

BOSTON — Before Kyrie Irving became the perfect teammate for Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks tried a Kristaps Porzingis-Doncic partnership.

It didn’t work. Porzingis spent two-plus seasons with the Mavs, losing in the first round of the playoffs in 2020 and 2021 under then-coach Rick Carlisle and getting traded during Jason Kidd’s first season as Dallas’ coach in 2021-22.

Why didn’t it work? That was among the most asked questions at NBA Finals media day on Wednesday.

Did Doncic dislike Porzingis? Did Porzingis dislike Doncic?

Or in a league that craves a daily soap opera, is the answer more mundane and less juicy as Doncic’s Mavs play Porzingis’ Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals? Maybe it was because not all things work out as intended.

Now, it’s very possible the public relations staff for both teams gave a quick media training session — probably on this topic specifically — no one from either side said anything to inflame the other side.

Following former Mavs player Chandler Parson’s assertation that Doncic, the Slovenian, didn’t like playing alongside Porzingis, the Latvian, both players dismissed the claim.

Doncic doesn’t have a beef with Porzingis. “I talked to Chandler Parson maybe twice in my life so I don't know how he would know that,” Doncic said. “But me and KP have a good relationship.”

Porzingis professed the same toward Doncic.

“It's good. It's always been good,” Porzingis said of the relationship.

That settles that.

OK, let’s allow that maybe they aren’t best friends. Not every championship team stars best friends. That’s not a prerequisite for winning a title.

So perhaps it just wasn’t a good fit, and their skills were not complementary. Also, Doncic was just 22 years old three seasons ago, and Porzingis missed games with injuries.

“I don't know why it didn't work out,” Doncic said. “We were still both young. We tried to make it work, but it just didn't work. So, moved on.”

Kidd explained the situation.

“For the short period I had him, I really enjoyed KP,” he said. “Great on the floor, great off the floor. Did everything we asked. When you talk about maybe the health, he got hurt. As much as any coach or teammate you want them all to be out there 100% at all times. I thought KP did great for us. But the business of basketball, there was a pivot. So, from there things changed.”

The business of basketball, which includes roster construction, requires a nimble touch. It’s an important concept, too. The Mavericks want to maximize Doncic’s prime, championship-potential years.

If it’s not working, don’t waste time. Mavs GM Nico Harrison traded Porzingis to the Washington Wizards for a package that included Spencer Dinwiddie who the Mavs later sent to the Brooklyn Nets in the deal for Kyrie Irving.

Irving worked out.

It’s also worked for the Celtics and Porzingis, too. After a 1½ seasons with Washington, Boston traded for him, and Porzingis has been an important part of the Celtics' 64-win season as a scorer and defender.

“I think just all he cares about is winning,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “He's used the experiences he's had around the league. He's seen a lot, he's seen it all. He's seen success. He's seen tough times. He knows what the league is all about. I think at this point in his career, winning is the most important thing.

"But it's both sides, right? He had to do his part to fit in, but we had to do our part as a team, guys that have been here before, meet him where he's at because of his ability to play at such a high level."

Porzingis has been out since April 29 when he sustained a strained right calf.

He was not listed on the Boston’s injury report, making his return to the playoffs imminent in Game 1 of the Finals.

“I will play (Thursday),” Porzingis said.

Mazzulla was not concerned about his re-entry into the starting lineup.

“He's been playing basketball for 30 years, and he's been playing in intense situations his whole life,” he said. “I don't think it's that much of an issue. Obviously, he can't simulate the speed and intensity of the game, and that comes with a little bit of reps. KP is a great player. Just because you've been out for a month doesn't mean you have to re-learn how to play basketball."