Kidd Passes on Vindication as He Leads Mavs to NBA Finals a Year After Chaotic Finish

Dallas Mavericks Coach Jason Kidd pauses on the sideline during Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis on May 30, 2024. Abbie Parr/AP Photo

DALLAS—Jason Kidd isn’t big on personal vindication.

Leading the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals as their coach 13 years after he was the point guard on the franchise’s only championship team means more to Mr. Kidd than proving he was right about Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving needing time to grow into a title-seeking tandem.