All the lights are green on the side of Dallas, which has just scored a fourth success in a row last night in Portland and which has also returned Luka Doncicback after five games of absence.
And in what way! Motorsport enthusiast as we saw with his third signature shoe, the Jordan Luka 3, the Slovenian leader got back on track, finishing the game with 36 points and 13 assists, a more than welcome performance while his Mavs had to fight to get rid of the eye-catching Blazers (131-137). Enough to make him smile again.
“I’m just happy. This is what I love to do,” he said after the meeting. “I'm just happy to be on the field, obviously happy that we got a win too. The guys played amazing, beating some big teams. I was just happy to be back with them.”
“When he has that look…”
We notably found the “Luka Magic” of big nights, when he had a 6/6 shooting in the second quarter including three 3-point baskets to allow his team to take the advantage just before the break . And what about his 13 assists, his second best total this season.
“He was really good, not just in terms of scoring, but also in terms of trusting the other players, when he found himself caught in a two-man situation and made the right choices. It's like he picked up where he left off.”said Jason Kidd about the return of his offensive leader.
Spencer Dinwiddie also praised Luka Doncic's performance. After helping to compensate for his absence, just like others, like Kyrie Irving, Naji Marshall or even the interior trio Washington-Gafford-Lively II, it is with great pleasure and a touch of admiration that the back welcomed the return of the Slovenian.
“When you have an MVP caliber player on your team, say among the five best players in the world, you have to let him be the MVP, and figure out the rest. It’s our job, as professionals, to figure that out.”he explained, before talking about his impressive heat stroke before the break. “When he has that look, we all become spectators at that moment, because no one on this planet will be able to do anything to stop him. He has this fire in his eyes.”
An absence that ultimately feels good
Upon arrival, this absence of Luka Doncic, who had suggested that he needed to take a breather, was very beneficial for the Mavericks. Others took over for two weeks, Dallas had a string of victories, and here he is back in great shape, while it is the turn of Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson or even Derek Lively II to take the physical hit. .
” Absolutely. It was good to have a little rest. I was a little tired in the last two matches I played. That shouldn't be an excuse, but I obviously feel a lot better now. I think my pace was excellent in this match. I just have to continue this momentum,” he added.
Now for the reception this Tuesday of the other team in form in the West, the Grizzlies of Ja Morant, who remain on six victories in a row.
| Luka Doncic | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | DAL | 72 | 32 | 42.7 | 32.7 | 71.3 | 1.2 | 6.6 | 7.8 | 6.0 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 0.3 | 21.2 |
| 2019-20 | DAL | 61 | 34 | 46.3 | 31.6 | 75.8 | 1.3 | 8.1 | 9.4 | 8.8 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 4.3 | 0.2 | 28.8 |
| 2020-21 | DAL | 66 | 34 | 47.9 | 35.0 | 73.0 | 0.8 | 7.2 | 8.0 | 8.6 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 4.3 | 0.5 | 27.7 |
| 2021-22 | DAL | 65 | 35 | 45.7 | 35.3 | 74.4 | 0.9 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 8.7 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 4.5 | 0.6 | 28.4 |
| 2022-23 | DAL | 66 | 36 | 49.6 | 34.2 | 74.2 | 0.8 | 7.8 | 8.6 | 8.0 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 3.6 | 0.5 | 32.4 |
| 2023-24 | DAL | 70 | 38 | 48.7 | 38.2 | 78.6 | 0.8 | 8.4 | 9.2 | 9.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 4.0 | 0.5 | 33.9 |
| 2024-25 | DAL | 14 | 37 | 43.5 | 32.4 | 78.3 | 0.6 | 7.1 | 7.6 | 7.6 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 3.3 | 0.4 | 28.1 |
| Total | 414 | 35 | 46.9 | 34.6 | 74.8 | 1.0 | 7.7 | 8.6 | 8.3 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 4.0 | 0.5 | 28.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
