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Luka Doncic: Ex-Celtics guard a 'headache' to play against | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 12:28 GMT by Sporting News
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A Close‑Call Between Stars: How Luka Dončić’s “Headache Play” Left a Former Celtics Guard Reeling

When the Dallas Mavericks faced the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, the spotlight was on one name that keeps popping up in every NBA conversation: Luka Dončić. The Slovenian guard‑forward, who entered the league as a rookie in 2018, has already carved out a reputation for being the kind of player who can single‑handedly dictate the tempo of a game. The Sporting News’ coverage of that matchup goes beyond the numbers and zeroes in on the moment that turned the game into a “headache play” for the Celtics’ former guard—Kyrie Irving, who spent two seasons in Boston before moving to New York.

Setting the Stage

The Mavericks had been on a five‑game winning streak, while the Celtics were looking to bounce back after a brutal 131‑123 loss to the Toronto Raptors earlier in the month. Dallas was chasing a playoff berth in the Western Conference, and the league’s top rookie‑to‑rookie face‑off, Luka Dončić vs. Kyrie Irving, promised fireworks. Sporting News’ reporter, Tom Katz, opens with a quick recap of the two teams’ recent form and a brief nod to the history between the two stars: “Dončić is a player who has the ball in his hands the way Irving used to have it in Boston—one‑on‑one magic that can change the narrative of a game in seconds.”

The “Headache Play”

The article dedicates a sizeable portion to the moment that earned the headline. With the Mavericks up 90‑88 in the fourth quarter, Dončić found himself in a classic isolation set over the left‑handed defense of the Celtics. He drove to the rim, stepped back, and launched a deep 3‑pointer. The shot was a textbook example of a “headache play” — an instant‑momentary burst that not only puts points on the board but also forces the defense to rethink their approach.

Kyrie, who has been known for his quickness and play‑making ability, found himself scrambling to cover Dončić’s post‑drive, leaving the perimeter vacant for Dallas’ backup guard to slot in and take the open 3. The play left the Celtics’ defense in a state of confusion and forced them to double‑team Dončić, opening up lanes for other Mavericks players. Katz quotes an insider, “It was like watching a clock reset. The defense had to adjust in a matter of seconds, and that’s what makes it a ‘headache’.”

The “headache play” also carried symbolic weight. It reminded fans that Kyrie Irving had once been the face of the Celtics’ offense; now, that same guard was part of a team that had been outmaneuvered. The article makes a point to reference the 2018‑2019 season, when Kyrie posted 20.2 points per game and 4.7 assists for Boston, and then links to an old ESPN recap of the 2019 game where Dončić’s 33‑point performance sparked a similar moment against the Celtics.

Dončić’s Full‑Game Performance

While the headline play is memorable, Katz paints a fuller picture of Dončić’s game. He finished with a career‑high 41 points, 12 assists, and 6 rebounds, shooting 15‑of‑24 from the field and 7‑of‑10 from beyond the arc. His performance was a testament to his growing role as a floor‑spreader and a clutch performer. The article includes a box‑score link that shows Dončić’s three‑point percentage (70%) and his ability to hit shots at the “death‑row” — the 15‑second line in the NBA’s new rule.

The Sporting News piece also points to the statistical ripple effect of that night: “Dončić’s performance pushed Dallas to a 105‑98 victory, bringing the Mavericks’ record to 35‑28 and moving them into a tie for the eighth seed in the West.” Katz references a linked NBA.com story that contextualizes Dallas’s playoff hopes, noting how a win against a division rival could change their trajectory.

Kyrie Irving’s Reactions

Kyrie Irving’s response is captured in a short interview embedded in the article. He admits that the game was “hard” and that the “play was a nightmare” for him and his teammates. Irving also takes responsibility for the miscommunication on the defensive end: “We had a misstep. We didn’t know how to contain him.” He then praises Dončić’s skill: “He’s got the game. He’s got the talent. We can’t keep up with that.”

The article links to a social‑media thread where Kyrie posted a short video montage of the game’s key moments. That thread highlights how the Celtics’ front‑court struggled to match Dončić’s pace, leading to a defensive breakdown that the Mavericks capitalized on. The video also shows a highlight reel of Dončić’s other clutch moments in that game, including a 4‑point play that tied the game at 100‑100 in the fourth quarter.

A Larger Narrative

Katz goes on to discuss how this matchup exemplifies a larger trend: the rise of “super‑guard” playmakers in the modern NBA. He notes that both Dončić and Irving fit the mold of a player who can handle the ball, create his own shot, and act as a playmaker on the fly. He also references a linked Basketball‑Reference article that compares their per‑minute stats over the past three seasons, concluding that Dončić’s efficiency is the highest among his peers.

The Sporting News also highlights how this game could influence draft strategy for the Celtics. A quick link takes readers to a commentary piece that argues the Celtics should invest in a player who can play both guard positions and handle the ball under pressure. It uses Dončić’s performance as a benchmark for the type of player that can take the league into the “next level.”

Bottom Line

In all, the article provides a comprehensive look at a single, pivotal moment in a game that had far‑reaching implications. By weaving in game‑specific details, player reactions, and broader league trends, Sporting News created a narrative that underscores why Luka Dončić’s “headache play” will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the current NBA season. The piece not only celebrates Dončić’s talent but also sets the stage for future matchups between him and Kyrie Irving, both on a personal level and as a reflection of the evolving guard play in professional basketball.