Luka Doncic Leading Revived Dallas Mavericks Back to Respectability

Last season, the Dallas Mavericks finished second from the bottom in the NBA Western Conference with a record of 33-49. One positive was the play of rookie forward Luka Doncic. The native of Slovenia averaged 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 72 games, and was the NBA Rookie of the Year.

Doncic hit the ground running this season, scoring 34 points in the Mavericks’ season opening victory over Washington. In Game 2, Doncic had a triple double, scoring 25 points with 10 assists and 10 rebounds in a victory at New Orleans. Jumping ahead to the Mavericks’ game against the Detroit Pistons at Mexico City on December 12th, Doncic scored 41 points, with 12 rebounds and 11 assists in the Mavericks’ 122-111 victory over the Pistons. It was Doncic’s eighth triple double of the season, and Dallas improved to 17-7 on the season, good for third place in the West.

Doncic is averaging 30.4 points per game, third in the league behind Houston’s James Harden and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. Doncic’s 9.3 assists per game ranks second behind the Lakers’ LeBron James. Those three have all been NBA Most Valuable Players, so Doncic is in good company.

Here’s a highlight reel from the Mavericks–Pistons game: