What better way to ignite the NBA season than by showcasing two of its brightest young stars, forever linked by the draft-day trade that reshaped their careers?

On Thursday night, the Dallas Mavericks will head to Atlanta to face the Hawks, a clash that once again places the spotlight on franchise cornerstones Luka Doncic and Trae Young. Their paths have been intertwined ever since the 2018 NBA Draft, when Atlanta selected Doncic with the third overall pick, only to trade him to Dallas for the fifth pick, which became Young, and a future first-rounder that turned into Cam Reddish.

The debate over who came out on top in that trade never fades, but one thing is certain—both Doncic and Young have proven to be electrifying stars, carrying the weight of their respective franchises with poise. Last season, Doncic posted stellar averages of 27.7 points, 8 rebounds, and 8.6 assists, while Young countered with 25.3 points, 9.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in the regular season, elevating his game to 28.8 points and 9.5 assists during the playoffs.

Rising Behind Their Superstars

Each team experienced significant growth last year, fueled by their young stars. The Mavericks finished with a 42-30 record, claimed their first Southwest Division title since 2009-10, and secured the fifth seed in the Western Conference. However, their playoff run ended in the first round after a grueling seven-game battle against the Los Angeles Clippers.

This season marks a new era for Dallas, as Jason Kidd takes the reins as head coach, succeeding long-time leader Rick Carlisle. Kidd has already set out to fine-tune Doncic’s relationship with referees—his 15 technical fouls last season left him one shy of a suspension—and define a more versatile role for Kristaps Porzingis, who wants to contribute beyond being a three-point marksman.

The Hawks, meanwhile, soared to new heights with a 41-31 record. A midseason coaching change proved pivotal, as Nate McMillan guided Atlanta to a 27-11 record from March 1 onward, the best in the Eastern Conference during that stretch. The Hawks were dominant at home, going 23-6 in their final 29 games at State Farm Arena, including the playoffs, as they reached the Eastern Conference Finals for just the second time since moving to Atlanta.

Building for the Future

Determined to keep their momentum, the Hawks locked in their core, dishing out lucrative extensions to Trae Young, John Collins, Clint Capela, and Kevin Huerter. They also bolstered their roster by adding Gorgui Dieng in free agency and acquiring Delon Wright via trade. Key holdovers like De’Andre Hunter, now fully recovered from a knee injury, and Bogdan Bogdanovic round out a deep, dangerous lineup.

Previous Meetings

The Mavericks swept both matchups with the Hawks last season, securing a 122-116 win in Atlanta and a nail-biting 118-117 victory in Dallas. However, the two teams won’t meet again this season until February 6.