As anticipation mounts for the approaching 2023 FIBA World Cup, Team USA is diligently honing its abilities in pursuit of a coveted gold medal. In the latest exhibition matchup against Slovenia, the absence of Slovenian sensation Luka Doncic because of a minor injury didn’t deter the spectacle. Amidst the depth of the sport, a heartwarming picture emerged that has Dallas Mavericks fans emotional.
A viral photo of Jalen Brunson and Luka Doncic’s camaraderie during the Team USA vs Slovenia exhibition match is going around on the internet. After seeing the picture of Brunson and Doncic together, Dallas Mavericks fans are going crazy and emotional at the same time.
🥲💔#MFFL pic.twitter.com/4P3CE7r5a5
— MFFL (@Mavs_FFL) August 12, 2023
In the captivating clash, the synergy between Jalen Brunson, a defender representing the New York Knicks, and Anthony Edwards, the dynamic star of the Minnesota Timberwolves, stole the highlight. Midway through the second quarter, with the Americans commanding a 15-point lead, Brunson and Edwards orchestrated a jaw-losing alley-oop in transition. This electrifying play also shows the notable talent boasts in the Team USA roster.
For Team USA, the 2023 FIBA World Cup represents an opportunity to go beyond the disappointment of their 7th-place finish in the preceding edition. With their rich basketball legacy, it comes as no wonder that they appeared as frontrunners in the tournament, commanding attention as one of the clear favorites.
Why did Jalen Brunson leave the Dallas Mavericks?
The suffering of the Dallas Mavericks over allowing Jalen Brunson to exit has transformed right into a daily reminder of an overlooked opportunity. As Brunson prospers with the New York Knicks, the Mavericks find themselves in a downward spiral, grappling with the outcomes of a choice that would have modified their fate.

Brunson’s achievement story with the Knicks amplifies the load of his absence in the Mavericks‘ ranks. With each passing day, his departure appears to exaggerate the void left within the team’s lineup. The Mavericks, who made an ultimate-ditch effort to stable, at the moment are reeling from the ripple outcomes of their movements, drifting perilously in the direction of the possibility of finding themselves within the NBA draft lottery.
The crux of the matter revolves around an agreement negotiation that slipped through the cracks. Jalen Brunson, who expressed his willingness to hold his tenure with the Mavericks, offered a contract demand of $55 million over four years. Regrettably, the Mavericks dismissed the idea, underestimating the effect Brunson had on their roster.