Dallas Mavericks: 5 most anticipated matchups of the 2021-2022 regular season
By Tyler Watts
Dallas Mavericks most anticipated matchup of 2021-2022 season: 4. Hawks
The NBA announced this matchup will take place on opening week on national television. The two teams will play each other twice, but the Oct. 21 battle on TNT happens in Atlanta.
This matchup gained significance on draft night 2018. Dallas traded up from fifth to third overall to select Luka Doncic. The Slovenian was a star from the moment he stepped on the NBA court. He won Rookie of the Year before being named first-team All-NBA in each of the last two seasons. Luka is a superstar and the future face of the NBA. It is the type of trade one team usually regrets.
The Hawks got a superstar of their own, though. Trae Young finished second to Doncic in the 2019 Rookie of the Year balloting and was an All-Star in 2020. The 22-year-old took his game to another level last season as he led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals. Young is an incredible scorer and creator.
Both young stars signed five-year contract extensions to stay put this summer. The two will forever be linked because of the draft night swap. Luka Doncic and Trae Young are friends off the court but will be looking to go at each other during their two meetings this season. Fans won’t want to miss either.