The Dallas Mavericks had one of the best Game 7 performances in NBA history last night, as they absolutely crushed the Phoenix Suns to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
The Mavs were excellent from tip-off to the final buzzer, never letting up, and unleashing an offensive onslaught on the defending Western Conference champions. The whole team performed really well, so much so that one NBA analyst had to apologize to some Mavs players.
NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith took to Twitter after the Mavericks beat the Suns in Game 7. Smith, who had picked Phoenix to win the series, apologized to Spencer Dinwiddie, Maxi Kleber, and Reggie Bullock for doubting them, noting that he had confidence in Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson, but not in them.
He praised Mark Cuban for the team he has built and slammed the Suns for their outing. Spencer Dinwiddie responded on Twitter, accepting Smith’s apology.
Big props and apologies to @SDinwiddie_25, @MaxiKleber, @ReggieBullock35 and the @dallasmavs supporting cast. I knew @luka7doncic and @jalenbrunson1 would show up. I doubted the rest. I was WRONG AS HELL. Point Blank. Congrats to the @dallasmavs & Mark Cuban.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 16, 2022
Apology accepted 🤝 https://t.co/8r5qkY9vgq
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) May 16, 2022
Stephen A. Smith: “Big props and apologies to Spencer Dinwiddie, Maxi Kleber, Reggie Bullock, and the Dallas Mavericks supporting cast. I knew Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson would show up. I doubted the rest. I was WRONG AS HELL. Point Blank. Congrats to the Dallas Mavericks & Mark Cuban.”
Spencer Dinwiddie: “Apology accepted.”
Luka Doncic spoke after the game about how thrilled he was to win, noting that he could not wipe the smile off his face. Maverick fans should be thrilled, as this is the first proper playoff run they have had for a long time.
In fact, the Mavericks are in the Western Conference Finals since 2011, when Dirk Nowitzki and now-Mavs head coach Jason Kidd led Dallas to their first NBA championship.
The Mavericks will be elated, but also need to understand the challenge ahead. Dallas will now play against the Golden State Warriors.
With their highly experienced core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, along with great young players like Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole, the Warriors will be considered the favorites. But given the fact that the Suns were also considered favorites against Dallas, that might work in favor of the Mavericks.
