This is the online version of our daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Subscribe to get irreverent and incisive sports stories, delivered to your mailbox every morning. Here’s Charles Curtis.
The Dallas Mavericks did win on Wednesday night, so the timing here isn’t the best.
But it’s still true: The Mavs have collapsed in the worst way and now face down some serious disaster: If they win out, there’s a chance at the Western play-in tournament.
If they don’t? They’ll miss the playoffs AND might have to convey their 2023 first-rounder — which is top-10 protected — to the New York Knicks thanks to the Kristaps Porzingis trade.
And all of this comes after the franchise shoved all-in to acquire Kyrie Irving, sacrificing depth for the point guard who will be a free agent this offseason.
That combo just hasn’t completely clicked for Irving and Luka Doncic. And Doncic just admitted he misses Jalen Brunson, who bolted from the Mavs for the Knicks in the offseason.
It’s the latest disaster for Irving. Ever since winning in Cleveland, he had an awful and short Celtics tenure, was very much at the center of a lot of Nets controversy, and now there’s this.
LOL.
If they do miss the playoffs, what’s next? Can they swing a trade that would help Doncic? That first-rounder this year sure would help. And other than promising rookie Jaden Hardy, there’s not a ton to be excited about: They’re stuck with some big contracts like Tim Hardaway Jr., Davis Bertans and Maxi Kleber.
So, the lesson is clear: Do. Not. Acquire. Kyrie Irving. Simple.
Quick Hits: Happy Masters Day! … Hot MLB mics … What’s up with the Barbie trailer? … and more
— THE MASTERS HAS BEGUN! Here’s an explainer about the red — not green — jackets you might see. And some cocktails to sip while watching.
— Mics picked up what a heated Christian Arroyo told the umpire after multiple missed calls in an at-bat.
— What’s the deal with the Barbie trailer and its Wizard of Oz Easter eggs?
— Garrett Mitchell crediting his wife’s absence for walk-off HR led to some funny tweets.