The Dallas Mavericks have set up a date with the Los Angeles Clippers for the first round of the NBA Playoffs. It goes without saying that in order for the Mavs to progress to the next round, their two superstars will need to be on their game against a powerhouse Clippers side.

So far this season, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have proven all the naysayers wrong by showing the entire basketball world how they can co-exist in the same backcourt. Now, they put their partnership to the ultimate test.

Dallas Mavericks News: Luka Doncic Speaks Out on Relationship With Kyrie Irving

In a recent interview, Luka was asked when he realized things would work out between himself and Kyrie. According to the Dallas superstar, there was never really any doubt in his mind:

“I knew since the beginning,” Doncic said. “It’s Kyrie Irving. Everybody knows how he can play basketball.”

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That’s a very straightforward assessment of what Irving brings to the table but at the same time, Doncic isn’t wrong here. There were questions early on about how two ball-heavy guards would be able to thrive together. All the doubt has now been put to bed as this duo has firmly established itself as one of the biggest two-headed threats in the NBA today.

All their hard work in the regular season will be for nothing, though, if they aren’t able to get through the Clippers. The Mavs did not go all-in on Kyrie this past summer only to settle for a first-round exit.

Needless to say, there are some massive expectations for both Doncic and Irving in this opening-round series. A loss would be unacceptable.