[9] The Mavericks defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in a tough seven game Western Conference First Round series.
[14][15] In Game 3 at the ARCO Arena, Van Exel scored a career and playoff-high of 40 points to help the Mavericks take the series 2–1, with a 141-137 double-overtime win.
[16] Dallas defeated the Kings in seven games to advance to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 1988,[17][18][19] where they met their in-state rival, the San Antonio Spurs.
[22][23][24] San Antonio won its second NBA Championship defeating the New Jersey Nets in six games in the Finals.
[25][26][27] Following the season, Van Exel was traded to the Golden State Warriors,[28][29] while LaFrentz was traded to the Boston Celtics,[30][31] Adrian Griffin signed as a free agent with the Houston Rockets,[32] Bell signed with the Utah Jazz, and Williams retired.