Mavericks, Luka Doncic, and Kyrie Irving Eliminated From Playoff Contention After Defeat to Bulls

• The Dallas Mavericks have officially been eliminated from playoff contention after losing to the Chicago Bulls
• Dallas, who sat most of their top players, lost 115-112 and will finish 11th in the West
• Dallas owes the New York Knicks a top-10-protected pick as the final payment for the Kristaps Porzingis trade.

Luka Doncioc and Kyrie Irving won't play in the postseason after the Dallas Mavericks were knocked out of the playoffs after losing to the Chicago Bulls.

Five of the Mavericks' top eight players sat out and narrowly lost 115-112. Luka Doncic played 13 minutes and scored 13 points.

Jason Kidd's team headed into the game with 10th best odds lottery odds, tied with the Bulls, and owe the New York Knicks a top 10 protected pick, the final payment for the Kristaps Porzingis trade.

If the Mavericks finish the season with a worse record than the Bulls, they would have 79.8% odds of getting a top-ten pick, per Dallas News.

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The makeshift team built a double-digit lead in the second half before squandering it. Kidd revealed before the game that Doncic will play the first quarter, then shut down.

The Slovenian superstar finishes the season averaging 32.39 points per game, second-best after Joel Embiid's 33.1.

The Bulls have already sealed a play-in spot in the East and will play the Toronto Raptors next week.

Reactions to Mavs vs. Bulls

When the Mavericks acquired Kyrie Irving in a blockbuster trade from the Brooklyn Nets before the Feb. 9 trade deadline, many predicted that they could make another deep playoff run.

However, they have been terrible since the All-Star break, and missing even the play-in tournament will attract plenty of criticism.

Kidd said missing the postseason was a necessary step back.

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Football

"We're trying to build a championship team. With this decision, this is maybe a step back. But hopefully it leads to going forward," via ESPN.

Dallas and Doncic surprised many when they reached the Western Conference Finals last season. Many expected them to repeat the same after Doncic's incredible season and Irving's trade.

Cuban wants Irving to stay

Sports Brief earlier reported on Mark Cuban saying he wants Irving to stay with the Mavericks.

The team has gone 4-11 in 15 games the two All-Stars have played together.

Cuban and the Mavs can offer Irving a five-year $272 million deal, more than any other team since they own his Bird rights.