Just 72 hours ago, it didn’t seem like Dorian Finney-Smith would even soon see the floor, let alone play 32 minutes in a Mavs win. But, as the rookie learned, a lot can change in not much time in the world of professional basketball.
Just how much has changed? Between Thursday afternoon and Sunday night, the Mavs would lose not only a game to Portland, but also superstar forward Dirk Nowitzki for at least a week, due to a sore Achilles. In his stead, Justin Anderson was elevated to a starter. Fast forward to the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against Milwaukee, and it was Finney-Smith guarding the Bucks’ rising star Giannis Antetokounmpo with under 10 seconds left in a tie game.