Luka Doncic is in hysterics after pulling a childish trick on Dallas Mavericks teammate Kyrie Irving that makes him think someone else tapped him on the shoulder.
Dallas Mavericks All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic were seen laughing together on the bench during the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday.
Immediately after Irving placed a pair of shoes in his equipment bag and handed the bag to an NBA staff member, Doncic was seen reaching behind Irving’s back to tap him on the left shoulder.
Irving looked to his left after the tap, before Doncic burst out laughing.
Mavericks fans can take this as a good sign that the new backcourt star in Dallas is off to a good start following the Irving trade from the Brooklyn Nets just days before the NBA deadline.
Irving had requested the trade from Brooklyn after the team repeatedly failed to engage in contract extension talks following a strained relationship between the two sides.
Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic were spotted laughing together after a prank at the All Star game
Doncic and Irving recently teamed up after Irving was traded to the Nets
The 30-year-old guard was criticized after missing most of last season due to not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and was ineligible to play in home games due to New York’s vaccine policy at the time.
Not wanting “part-time” players, the Nets also kept Irving out for much of the season, only to fold midway through the 2021-22 season.
New York City’s COVID policy required athletes and entertainers residing in the city to be vaccinated to play or perform, while visiting players or performers were not.
Irving also came under fire and was suspended eight games for failing to apologize immediately after posting a link to a film deemed anti-Semitic.
Before being dealt to Dallas, Irving had a great season averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds after playing in 40 games with the Nets.
Doncic on the other hand was an MVP candidate averaging 33.3 points, 8.1 assists and 8.8 rebounds.
The duo came up short in the All-Star Game, however, as Team LeBron fell 184-175 to Team Giannis.
Despite Irving scoring 32 points, he and Doncic missed the All-Star Game loss in Salt Lake City.