Zach LaVine’s new, offensively-gifted backcourt partner was certainly one for trash talk, as he playfully vented to the Sacramento Kings’ media about the two-time All-Star’s brief shooting slump upon arrival. Authoring one of basketball history’s most well-rounded offensive highlight reels, LaVine merely pivoted towards one of his other methods of bucket-getting brilliance. Conquering first a battle of veteran-versus-newcomer, LaVine punishes Max Christie’s decision to faceguard during Sacramento’s pindown action, cutting backdoor with a wide-open launchpad towards the cup. Eye-level with the cylinder by the time his leap reaches its apex, LaVine ascends into a rim-bending two-handed jam, prompting a stunned yet appreciative murmur from the Dallas Mavericks’ crowd. Slowly but surely beginning to discover his footing in game No. 4 in Sacramento’s black-and-purple, LaVine’s throwdown would prove invaluable, given the one-point, overtime win headed the Kings’ way by night’s end. Individually, LaVine’s contributions leveled out to 17 points (on 8-of-18 shooting), four rebounds, four assists, and one steal on February 10, 2025. · Feb 11, 2025