The Dallas Mavericks are one win away from reaching their second Western Conference Finals in the last three seasons under Jason Kidd. Generally commemorated for their offense, both Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving have locked in on the defensive end of the court, altering the identity of the team. The Dallas Mavericks are now a defensive team.

Mavericks GM Nico Harrison has surrounded the two stars with defensive-minded young players over the past year. Harrison received Dereck Lively II and OMax Prosper, who has potential to crack the rotation next season, in trades during the 2023 NBA Draft. He signed Derrick Jones Jr, Dante Exum during the offseason. The Mavs GM extended Josh Green at the beginning of the season and received Daniel Gafford alongside PJ Washington in separate trades at the trade deadline.

When roster construction is added to Head Coach Jason Kidd’s defensive mindset, it created a new identity to end the season. The Mavs held the seventh-best defensive rating after the trade deadline and it continues to trend in the playoffs.

“I’ll be able to make more of an impact if I do it on both ends of the floor. My offense can come and go, I feel I can play the best with them on that end but defensively, that’s where I want to make my mark. I know that galvanizes the group as well when they see me doing it.“ Kyrie Irving stated on his defensive impact on the team.

The Mavs no longer need to depend on a 40-point night from Dončić, 10-point fourth quarter performance from Irving or a three-point barrage to win games. The constant denominator is their defensive prowess and physicality. As fans are used to watching the difficult shotmaking and high-scoring outputs from Dončić and Irving, their commitment to defense has been overshadowed and it’s important to highlight them.

Luka Dončić

• Guards/Forwards FG% against Luka in playoffs: 39%
• First in total deflections during the playoffs for all players
• Tied for second in total steals during the playoffs for all players

Kyrie Irving

• Guards/Forwards FG% against Kyrie in playoffs: 38.7%
• Second in total deflections during the playoffs for all players
• Tied for first in total steals during the playoffs for all players
• Third in total loose balls recovered on defense during the playoffs for all players

“When you look at some of the greatest teams that have played and won championships, a lot of the guys have been selfless and have been willing to read the game and give what the game needs. If my job is to play defense that night, then that is what I’m geared towards. I feel like that is what my intention is to get us a win. That is where it is going to be. It is not going to be trying to delegate my offensive prowess to force myself into the game. It is going to come. I feel like I am one of the most unguardable people in the world, just like the rest of my peers feel. It’s just the confidence. But in the playoffs, you don’t have time to wallow in the extra thoughts of offense, offense, offense. Defense wins championships.” Kyrie Irving stated on the importance of reading the game and defense.

The main defenders on the team in Jones, Washington and their bigs get a lot of credit for the Mavs defense during the postseason, deservedly so, but the investment from their two offensive stars should be highlighted for the team’s success. It has elevated a great defense into an elite strength of the team.

“The understanding of what we’re trying to do and then effort and want.Sometimes when we’re asking them to score, there’s gonna be something that has to give a little bit and so sometimes the defensive can give but they have done both for us in the playoffs. But also a little bit before the playoffs, when you talk about March and April. Those guys have been playing both sides of the ball for us, maybe that’s why our offense has come down a little bit. Understanding if you want to win at this time of the year, you gotta play defense, you gotta get stops and we’re doing that right now.” Jason Kidd states about Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić contributions to the defensive end.

Dončić’s ability to hold his ground when opposing teams target him in isolation-type scenarios helps the team stay intact. He is good at contesting shots as he is seventh in total contested three-point shots during the playoffs. Dončić’s size helps his physicality while his agility moving his feet makes it difficult for scorers when they attack him, with defensive bigs waiting on the weak side to protect the rim.

Irving has the required footwork and hands to pressure opposing players. Irving has great hands and IQ as he is third in loose balls recovered on defense, turning defense into instant offense. Kidd said the display of defense from Irving, during this postseason, is the best he has ever seen Irving defend in the playoffs.

The sacrifice on offense and buy-in on defense from the stars gives the team a balanced approach in offense and defense. It has led to the Mavs’ success in the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs. The OKC Thunder and LA Clippers each had a top five offense in the regular season, Mavs have disrupted each team’s flow when allowed to be physical and avoid foul trouble.

The Mavericks will need to sustain the defensive mindset as the OKC Thunder are going to throw everything at them in Game 6 in Dallas, to keep their playoffs alive. It is a close out game for the Mavs and just like their series with Clippers, they must set the tone from the jump ball in the first quarter.

Irving is 13-0 in close out games, the streak will continue if they focus on the game plan and attention to detail. Thunder are averaging have 104.0 points per game against the Mavericks in the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals. Mavs have held them to 43.8% from the floor and 32.7% beyond the arc.

Game 6 is on Saturday at 7:00pm CT in Dallas on ABC.