Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic did not have the finest start to the 2024-25 season. In his first 14 outings, he averaged 28.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists, which are impressive numbers for most players, but not for the Slovenian sensation. He then suffered a wrist contusion that sidelined him for five games. But the Mavericks did not skip a beat and won four games, prompting many to question whether the guard was holding the team back. However, he emphatically answered his critics after his return to action.
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In his last four outings, Doncic is averaging 31 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists. He has also been shooting efficiently, banking 50.6% of his shot attempts, including 42.9% from beyond the arc. He has improved on the defensive end too, averaging 3.3 steals. His stellar form prompted ESPN analyst Tim MacMahon to declare he’s back in the MVP race. On the Hoop Collective podcast, he said,
“All the Mavericks needed was the version of Luka that’s typical for him. They needed that first-team All-NBA guy, who they hadn’t had for the first quarter of the season or so. That’s what they’ve had the last four games. If they have first-team All-NBA Luka, if they have NBA candidate Luka, the Mavericks absolutely feel they can win the West again.”
Since Doncic’s return from injury, Dallas is a perfect 4-0 and has improved to 16-8. They’re fourth in the Western Conference standings but are only one game behind the 17-8 Grizzlies, who are second in the table.
However, the Mavericks haven’t only been exceptional since his return. They are 9-1 in their last ten games and are playing like a team keen on becoming the first franchise to repeat as Western Conference champions since the 2019 Warriors.
The Mavs have a stellar roster
MacMahon noted how the Mavericks did not suffer a dip in form in Doncic’s absence. He lauded the front office for building a stellar roster, capable of competing without their best player. He said,
“What we saw during the time Luka was out, they’ve won 11 of 12, with Luka missing half of those games. so what we’ve seen here is hey this is the best roster they’ve had around Luka during his time in Dallas. Kyrie has been playing at just as high a level as we’ve seen from him, just the pieces they’ve put in place, PJ Washington, Quentin Grimes, Naji Marshall. “
The Mavericks are looking primed to win the West for the second straight year and go one better than they did last season. However, it won’t be the back of one player but rather a collective effort for a talented roster.
