How the Return of Luka Doncic Has Sparked the Mavs
With a 125-118 over the Raptors last night, one thing is for sure: Luka Doncic and his Mavs are back. The star player missed five games during the early season with a right wrist sprain, which helped the team in more ways than not. The Mavs are a surprising 5-1 this season without the star, mostly due to the play of future Hall of Famer Kyrie Irving, as well as increased production from Spencer Dinwiddie and P.J. Washington. With signature wins over OKC, Denver, and the Knicks without Doncic, this Mavericks team is once again starting to prove that they are back to the team that was in the NBA Finals just six months ago. During his absence, Irving went on a spree, averaging 25.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists, playing like his prime days back in Cleveland.
Before the injury, the Mavs with Doncic were just 7-7, mostly due to their stagnant offense and Doncic’s poor defense. Former Mavericks player and now reporter Tim Legler even described Doncic as a “drain on the Mavs” due to his lackluster effort on defense and off-ball offense. Even though Doncic’s stats were still great compared, his shooting efficiency was far below his average as, according to multiple reports, the star once again came into camp out-of-shape, partly due to a calf contusion he suffered in the preseason. The Mavs 7-7 record was nothing to be proud of, however, as many analysts thought that the addition of former Warriors star Klay Thompson would spark this offense back to true contention. Before the injury, the Mavericks were not only out of the top of the Western Conference but were placed in the Play-In Tournament if the season had ended on November 19th, the last game Doncic played before his injury.
The team since his return has been a flip, however, as the Mavs are 4-0 with Doncic and in the midst of a seven-game win streak, which has lifted them into a tie with the Grizzlies for second place in a loaded Western Conference. During his return, Doncic has averaged a staggering 31.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists, which is similar to his MVP numbers during the last couple of seasons. Doncic himself has even acknowledged his renewed love for the game, saying, “Just happy to be out there playing with joy. Obviously, happy we got a win.” His renewed joy for the game hasn’t only affected his offensive stats, however, as his defensive rating around 100 is much better than it was early in the season. It might seem like a small change, but compared to the highlights of Doncic’s careless defense early in the season, this passion is night and day.
Even with Klay Thompson still trying to find his fit in the Mavericks' system, the team as a whole looks not only like one of the deepest in the NBA but also like a true contender with added power from last year. Kyrie Irving said on a podcast that the Celtics team they lost to was a “super team,” but since Luka’s return, so have the Mavs. Until they show signs of regressing, you shouldn't count them out in any discussion about the Larry O’Brien Trophy. With a blend of experienced veterans and emerging talent, the Mavericks are poised to make a significant impact this season.
