Mavericks blow out old friend Jalen Brunson, Knicks at MSG

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Luka Doncic came into Madison Square Garden today wearing a Philadelphia Eagles jersey -- a payment on a lost bet to his former teammate, who he and the Mavericks faced for the first time here Saturday afternoon.

Doncic was asked if paying off his bet was enjoyable.

That was one of the things Doncic didn't like about his day, as the Mavericks dominated the Knicks in the second half and won 121-100.

"You have to ask them," Kidd said when asked if the players were motivated by facing Brunson. I believe they've been with him for four years. He's going to be missed. In the summer, he hangs out with a few of his friends in the locker room, and he has a close relationship with a few of them. I don't know if they were trying to show they can do it without him but he's on the other side and they wanted to slow him down.

It certainly was mission accomplished on that front in the second half, as the Mavericks torched the Knicks in the third quarter, out scoring them 41-15 to take what had been a competitive, but sleepy, early afternoon game for the opening 24 minutes and turn it into a resounding victory.

Thanks to Doncic and Hardaway Jr., that happened. In the third quarter, New York was overwhelmed by a barrage of 3-pointers that proved too much for the Knicks to overcome. New York has lost for the sixth time in eight games, and is 4-7 through its first 11 games at Madison Square Garden.

Tom Thibodeau said he was disappointed with the performance of his team. You can deal with missed shots. You can live with that if you take the right shots.

The turnover part of it is difficult. It's difficult to win that way. We need to fix it quickly.

The reunion of Brunson with the only team he'd ever played for before signing a four-year contract worth more than $100 million with the Knicks was overshadowed by the dominance of Dallas in the second half.

Both Hardaway and Doncic admitted that it was weird to play against their former teammate, and that it was hard for him to take much joy in it.

When asked how the reunion went, he said it was not fun. They played really well tonight. They need to be given credit. My approach always stays the same no matter who is on the other side of the floor.

It was cool to see them shake their hands after the game. I hope all is well and see them in a month.

When Dallas plays the Knicks next month, Doncic might get revenge for his lost wager, which was on an Eagles-Cowboys game.

"We have another game coming and we play at home, so we'll get another bet and they're coming soon, so we'll see," he smiled.