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Mavericks’ Luka Doncic Details NBA Finals Experience: ‘I’m Going to Learn from it’

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Mavericks’ Luka Doncic Details NBA Finals Experience: ‘I’m Going to Learn from it’


DALLAS — Luka Doncic led the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals despite the team being a fifth seed in the Western Conference. They took down three teams that won at least 50 games to get to this point but face a commanding 3-0 series hole against the Boston Celtics.

Doncic is still hopeful the Mavericks can be the first time to overcome a 3-0 series deficit by leaning into the team’s ability to dig deep and pull off lengthy winning streaks in the past. No matter the odds, he emphasized the need to believe in their chances.

“Just like we did before. I always talk in the regular season, there was a time we were at our very low,” Doncic said. “I think we lost five, six in a row, and from there we just went up. I think we went 17-2 to get in the Playoffs.

“I know that’s the regular season, but it was the kind of point we all came together, and the chemistry from there went to the top,” Doncic explained. “We’ve just got to believe. We talk about it in the locker room. I know we can do it, and we’re going to believe until the end.”

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Jun 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after a play against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter during game three of the 2024 NBA Finals at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after a play against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter during game three of the 2024 NBA Finals at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

As a team leader, Doncic shared his appreciation for the team’s personalities in the locker room while emphasizing the importance for him to help his teammates stay confident.

“Just keeping the team together. Like I said, we have great guys. We all know what we came here to do,” Doncic said. “Obviously, we’re going against the best team in the NBA, but we’re going to believe. It’s a first for us, but we’re going to believe, and that’s our motivation.”

A team tends to follow the guidance of its leader. With Doncic being one of those prominent personalities on the Mavericks, he’s received a significant amount of criticism during the NBA Finals for his interactions with referees, sometimes leading to 5-on-4 situations for the opponent. He admitted his passion for winning sometimes gets placed in those exchanges, but he could handle that better.

“I mean, yeah. At some point, yeah. I just really want to win,” Doncic said. “Sometimes I don’t show it the right way, but at the end of the day, I really want to win. I’ve got to do a better job showing it a different way.”

Ahead of Game 4, Doncic stressed the importance of having fun on the court and commended the team’s pace and defensive execution to nearly overcome a 21-point deficit in the fourth quarter of Game 3.

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“Go back to playing fun. We talk about how we come back from 20 points in the fourth quarter in the Finals,” Doncic said. “We were having fun. We were defending. We were running. Our pace was great. Just taking good shots.”

While it’s too early to focus on reflection, Doncic does see a significant benefit of going through his first NBA Finals and learning from it. “Oh, definitely, a lot of holes, I think, still. I’m 25. I’ve got a lot of things to learn. This is my first NBA Finals, so I’m going to learn from it, for sure,” he said. “But we’re not in the offseason yet. They’ve still got to win one more game. Like I said, we’re going to believe until the end.”

When relating this first experience to other great players, Doncic mentioned how great of an experience it can be. “Obviously, there’s the story of [Michael Jordan] against Detroit,” he said. “That was a big thing. I think he just learned from it. It’s a great experience. You’ve got to go through lows first to go on top. I think that’s great experience.”

If the Mavericks manage to win Game 4, they will have to try to extend their season on Monday in a Game 5 matchup at TD Garden.

Stick with MavericksGameday for more coverage of the Dallas Mavericks throughout the NBA Finals.

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Death penalty off the table for man accused of beheading Dallas motel manager, prosecutors say

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Death penalty off the table for man accused of beheading Dallas motel manager, prosecutors say


Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against the man accused of beheading a Dallas motel manager last September, authorities said. Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, 37, admitted to using a machete to attack and kill his co-worker at the Downtown Suites on Samuell Boulevard during an argument, according to investigators.



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Top 10 Dallas Cowboys of 2026: Rashan Gary is Complete EDGE Dallas Needed

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Top 10 Dallas Cowboys of 2026: Rashan Gary is Complete EDGE Dallas Needed


In need of help on the edge, the Dallas Cowboys tried to make a huge move this offseason. They made multiple attempts to trade for Las Vegas Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby, but were never able to get a deal done.

Once that one was off the table, they decided to send a fourth round pick to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for veteran Rashan Gary. The move was criticized, which is rather confusing when you think about it. Dallas gave up a mid-round pick, and reworked his contract to where it hardly makes any impact on a salary cap. They also filled a position of a great need with a player who might not threaten to lead the league in sacks, but is well-rounded and can help against the run just as much as he does when rushing the passer.

Gary is entering his eighth season in the league and has 271 tackles and 46.5 sacks. He’s coming off another solid campaign, which is why he’s No. 9 on our list of top 10 players on the Cowboys’ roster.

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Rashan Gary 2025 review

Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
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Gary’s numbers in 2025 were respectable, but could be misleading. He was on pace to record 18 sacks, as he had 7.5 through the first seven games of the year. He then disappeared for the final nine games, recording no sacks while struggling to generate pressure.

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That led to his season as a whole being considered rather disappointing, which is why the Packers were willing to move on. It’s also why Dallas was able to convince him to take a pay cut after he joined their team. What was most frustrating for Green Bay was the fact that they needed him to step up when Micah Parsons suffered a torn ACL late in the year and Gary was unable to do so.

Rashan Gary 2026 prediction

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Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary celebrates during the season opener against the Detroit Lions. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

One thing critics of the move are failing to see is the fact that Dallas doesn’t need Gary to record double-digit sacks. They need him to be the veteran voice for a group of young pass rushers who are trying to find their footing in the league.

Second year player, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and rookie Malachi Lawrence both have the talent to be game-changers off of the edge. What they don’t have, is the experience. That’s where Gary comes in.

As those two continue to develop, Gary will be the stabilizing veteran force who can make plays on early downs, while also being disruptive as a pass rusher. We can’t ignore the struggles that he had in 2025, but perhaps the change of scenery will give him some motivation to turn back the clock. And Dallas didn’t have to give up much to give him that opportunity.

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Former Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa runs for Dallas Mayor

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Former Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa runs for Dallas Mayor


Former Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa announced that he is running for Mayor of Dallas on Monday.

Hinojosa says the city needs experienced leadership to address the budget challenges and pro sports teams leaving Downtown Dallas.

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Addressing Dallas’ budget and pro sports team

Local perspective:

Michael Hinojosa served two stints as superintendent of Dallas ISD, totaling 13 years. He told FOX 4 that he officially filed paperwork to enter the race and plans to formally launch his campaign at a Tuesday morning news conference at Dallas City Hall.

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Hinojosa points to financial track record at Dallas ISD

What they’re saying:

Hinojosa cited his tenure leading Dallas ISD as evidence of his financial management experience, saying the district’s reserves grew from about $32 million when he took over in 2005 to nearly $1 billion in obligated and unobligated fund balances by the time he left.

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“I think that it’s really important for this community to know that we’re at an inflection point and that the city and the community need a strong, proven leader,” Hinojosa said.

He pointed to the city’s budget shortfall, employee furloughs and concerns over major sports franchises potentially leaving downtown as examples of challenges facing Dallas.

He said solving the city’s challenges would require coalition-building and pledged to focus on issues important to residents, taxpayers and businesses.

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“I believe that a vision is a dream with a deadline,” Hinojosa said, adding that if elected he would aim to address the city’s biggest challenges within two terms.

Campaign announcement at Dallas City Hall

What’s next:

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Hinojosa said he will outline his priorities during a 10 a.m. campaign announcement on Tuesday, July 14, at Dallas City Hall.

The Source: Information in this article was provided by an interview conducted by FOX 4’s Shaun Rabb.

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