Luka Dončić may have his sights set on the Los Angeles Lakers, but even in the heat of competition, he made time to send an uplifting message to Kyrie Irving, his former Dallas Mavericks teammate, who is now sidelined for the rest of the season following a devastating ACL tear.

The injury, sustained during Monday night’s game against the Sacramento Kings, throws a wrench in the Mavericks' playoff aspirations. But Dončić, proving himself a class act yet again, posted a heartfelt message on his Instagram story. Alongside a photo of him and Irving embracing, he wrote, "You will come back stronger mi hermano!" If this doesn’t scream bromance, I don’t know what does.

Dončić calling Irving his "brother" is a touching nod to their bond, forged during their time as a high-powered duo with the Mavericks. Despite the blockbuster trade that shook the NBA last month, it’s clear their camaraderie remains intact. Classy move, Luka.

During their 2½ seasons together, Dončić and Irving were a formidable force, even propelling the Mavs to an NBA Finals appearance during the 2023-24 campaign. The pair put in serious work, each logging about 40 minutes per game. Dončić averaged a staggering 28.9 points per game, while Irving contributed a solid 22.1 points.

Their first face-off as opponents on February 25 was a spectacle. Dončić delivered a triple-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists in the Lakers’ 109-99 win. Irving, not to be outdone, poured in 35 points for Dallas, though it wasn’t enough to secure a victory.

The Mavericks will meet the Lakers again on April 9, but Irving’s absence looms large. With his recovery timeline extending into the 2025-26 season, the Mavs will have to navigate without their nine-time All-Star and 2016 NBA Champion. Irving’s resume, which also includes three All-NBA honors, speaks for itself, and his loss is a massive blow to the team.

This season, Irving had been averaging 24.7 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.8 rebounds over 50 games—a testament to his enduring talent even in his 14th year in the league. Now, the Mavericks must regroup and adapt as they push forward in a highly competitive NBA landscape.

Kyrie Irving News

Luka Doncic Reacts to Kyrie Irving's Season-Ending Injury for Mavs: 'You Will Come Back Stronger'