Ex-Michigan State Guard, part of Lakers’ Luka Doncic Trade, impresses Mavs

On By Littum

Max Christie was not a headliner in one of the most shocking trades in the NBA story.

That did not prevent the former Michigan State Guard from putting together a prominent debut with his new team.

Christie came from the bench to score 15 points with nine rebounds and three assists to Mavericks in Tuesday’s 118-116 loss on the road to the 76s.

“A lot of emotions,” Christie told journalists after the game. “I still obviously learn some sets and kinds of just the team’s personality, but I had fun. Although we didn’t win, it was good to get back out there on the floor and get the first game out of the way. “

Christie and nine-gang all-star Anthony Davis were sent to Dallas in a blockbuster trade on Sunday containing Lakers Landing Luka Doncic. Shipping of the franchise’s cornerstone player led Mavericks (26-25) to be criticized for the deal, but Christie adjusted well on the go, while Davis did not play on Tuesday due to injury.

“Christie was great. … I thought both sides of the ball, defensively and offensively, were better than announced, ”Maverick’s coach Jason Kidd told journalists. “I thought he did a really good job for the first game without practice.”

Christie average 9.3 points and 3.5 rebounds as a beginner in Michigan State before traveling to the NBA and was selected by Lakers in the second round of the 2022 draft. He average 5.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 154 games with 35 starts for Los Angeles and in June signed a four -year contract of $ 32 million to stay with Lakers. Tuesday’s game in Philadelphia marked a new start with a new franchise.

“I think it showed his basketball -iq how to play on the offensive end,” Kidd said of Christie. “He will compete defensively. I thought he did a good job on the ball and then came back to get us some rebounds. “

Christie said he had no expectation of playing time in his first game with Mavericks. He continued to log just shy in 32 minutes and beat all four of his 3-point attempts.

“The concepts are kind of stranger to me, so I’m just kind of to play reaction, outside the instinct,” said Christie, “and it helped I made my triangles too.”