The Dallas Mavericks only had three Christmas Day games before Luka Doncic’s arrival.

Wednesday’s holiday matinee against the Minnesota Timberwolves marks the eighth Christmas game in franchise history and for the fifth straight year, the Mavericks will be among the rare group of teams invited to play on one of the most anticipated days of the season.

Doncic exploded, posting unprecedented stats of 50 points, 15 assists, six rebounds, four steals and three blocks in a stunning win in Phoenix last season. He became the first player in 39 years to score at least 50 points on Christmas Day. This time he faces Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves (17-17) in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals.

Doncic was a part of two straight Christmas wins in 2022 and 2023 after the Mavericks suffered two holiday losses in 2020 and 2021. Dallas is 4-3 overall on Christmas Day, and Doncic is excited to be participating again this year.

“It’s special,” Doncic said. “It’s a big deal. I know a lot of people at home are watching it. It will be a special game for me.”

The Mavericks enter Wednesday’s game as winners of 14 of their last 17 games and have found a groove with their starting lineup of Doncic, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington Jr., Dereck Lively II and Kyrie Irving.

Irving will be playing in his seventh Christmas game and has had several notable performances, including 40 points in 2018 and 37 points in 2020. As a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, Irving most notably scored a turnaround winner at midfield against Thompson, who was with the Golden State Warriors was.

The Mavericks star said it felt great to be part of the league’s annual tradition, especially since it was his first Christmas game alongside Doncic (Irving missed last year’s game due to an injury).

“Salute to the NBA,” Irving said. “Of course they want to see something great at Christmas, so we will give them a good show. I had some very special Christmas performances and am looking forward to the game and being with my family. There’s nothing better than having an early game and then coming home, breaking bread and just watching the rest of the competitive games. Be thankful you’re not playing at 8:30 p.m.”

The Mavericks were given the fairly convenient 1:30 p.m. time slot, meaning the team has the opportunity to enjoy early Christmas morning and most of the evening with their families, with a rematch against the Timberwolves in between.

Edwards will make his Christmas debut in the fifth year of his burgeoning career. The 23-year-old guard is known for his explosiveness and athleticism as well as his enthusiasm for the big stage. He scored 24 of his 37 points in the first quarter of the teams’ first meeting on October 29. The Mavericks won this game thanks to a 35-point effort from Irving and an outstanding 3-pointer from Doncic. Edwards has since burst into tears. He is averaging 25.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game for a Minnesota team that is struggling to repeat last year’s success.

The Mavericks have several players who will also make their debut on Christmas Day. Washington and Gafford, acquired in separate deals from the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards last season, will play for the first time in their careers when the regular season lights are brightest.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Gafford said. “It’s my first Christmas game. It’ll be an early game so obviously we won’t get much sleep, but I’m just excited about the energy that’s always around Christmas games. The advertising, the atmosphere. It’s really great to be in this position.”

History is also at stake on Wednesday. Thompson enters the game needing just three 3-pointers to pass Reggie Miller for fifth place on the all-time NBA career 3-pointers list. The Mavericks sharpshooter scored three goals in Monday’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

“We believe he will make the attempts next game, but he has to put them in the basket,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “He shoots the ball extremely well, so we think he will be able to do that in the next game.”

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