Mavs reportedly considering shutting down Doncic-Irving duo for rest of the season / News - Basketnews.com

The Dallas Mavericks are thinking about keeping Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving out in their season-last games in order to keep their 2023 first-round pick.

Credit: AFP - Scanpix Credit AFP - Scanpix

TheDallas Mavericks are "seriously considering" shutting downLuka Doncic andKyrie Irvingfor the final three games of the season, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Free throws this season

76%19,3Points made:19,3Accuracy:75,7%Place in standings:9Record max:35Record min:6Most made FTs:Luka DoncicTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

Doncic has been on a tear since returning from a five-game absence, as he's averaged 31.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 8.9 assists in 38.9 minutes per game over his last seven appearances.

However, the Mavericks are a game out of the Play-In Tournament heading into the final week of the season, so the team will see how the Thunder and Jazz fare before Dallas plays its first game of the week Wednesday.

If the Mavericks are in danger of missing the postseason by then, the team could choose to shut down their big star players in an attempt to keep their 2023 first-round pick. It is the franchise's chance to add another young talent to their roster or use the asset in a trade to improve their roster.

The Mavs are currently in freefall. They have lost ten of their last 13 to sink to 11th in the Western Conference. Trading for Kyrie Irving has not worked as the Mavs are just 4-11 in his first 15 games playing next to Luka Doncic.

They are one game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the final Play-In berth, but OKC holds the tiebreaker. Dallas is effectively two games behind with just three to play, and they have a difficult decision to make before Wednesday's game against the Kings.

Referring to the team's main issue, Doncic didn't mince words.

"It's every time the same problem,' Doncic stated. "The offense is fine. But if we give up 130 points in four quarters, it's hard to win."

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