Dallas fans’ worst fears are becoming reality. With Luka Doncic shining in Los Angeles, the Mavericks are struggling to stay competitive in the Western Conference. Their recent 101–99 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans dropped them to 2–6, their third defeat in a row, and placed them at the bottom of the standings.
Despite these setbacks, a sign of hope appeared from Kyrie Irving, who is currently recovering from an ACL injury. Even while sidelined, he continues to inspire and support his teammates.
“Tribe, stay together no matter what.”
Irving shared this six-word message on X, reminding his team and fans of unity amid adversity. His encouragement resonated widely, showing his leadership even off the court.
The Pelicans game was an emotional ride for Mavericks supporters, who stood at the start for nearly four minutes before Max Christie ended the tradition with a corner three-pointer. In the final minutes, hope briefly returned as Dallas pushed for a comeback that ultimately fell short.
Before the matchup, coach Jason Kidd made a bold roster change — moving Klay Thompson to come off the bench for the first time since March 2024, while D’Angelo Russell started as point guard.
Kyrie Irving’s message of unity offers Dallas a spark of hope as the struggling Mavericks fight to regain momentum in the Western Conference.