Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic Luka deserves a break. Luka had a tiring week which consisted of the following:A Phoenix Suns fan involved in a dramatic situation. on Wednesday, a a memorable performance with a record-breaking score of 73 pointsOn Friday, Luka performed exceptionally well and achieved a triple-double despite the team's narrow 120-115 loss in a consecutive game against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. Following the game on Saturday, Luka openly expressed his eagerness to rest and sleep.
Doncic expressed his exhaustion after playing for more than 90 minutes in both the Friday and Saturday games, stating that he eagerly anticipates going to sleep.
Why didn't Doncic choose to sit out the game on Saturday? Despite being uncertain about his injury, he decided to play. The reason behind this decision is that Doncic has a strong passion for the game and is determined to do everything in his power to help Dallas win.
Despite being behind by a significant amount in the fourth quarter, the Mavericks decided to keep Doncic in the game. Although he was not involved in the decision-making regarding his participation in the final quarter, he expressed his willingness to contribute to the team by stepping onto the court.
Luka Doncic stated that he did not have any conversation about it. He mentioned that he respects the coaches' decision, and if they want him to participate, he has no issue with that.
The Mavericks managed to outscore the Kings by a significant margin of 40-26 in the final quarter and nearly succeeded in accomplishing a comeback win. Unfortunately, they ultimately fell just short, but their performance was commendable.
Doncic expressed his satisfaction with the way the team fought, despite not winning the game.
Luka Doncic, who played for over 46 minutes in the loss, achieved an impressive triple-double with 28 points, 17 assists, and 10 rebounds. Despite not receiving the expected recognition for the MVP title, it is evident that Doncic deserves to be part of the discussion.
The outstanding 2023-24 season that Luka Doncic had with the Mavericks.
Obviously, Doncic's stats alone do not provide the complete picture, but they do serve to illustrate his exceptional skills. He consistently achieves nearly 35 points per game, along with around nine rebounds and assists per match. Additionally, Doncic dedicates himself to improving his defensive abilities, and the Mavericks heavily rely on his contributions to succeed.
During the 2023-24 season, Dallas has faced numerous injury issues. However, they have managed to maintain a positive record. Dereck Lively II has emerged The Mavericks have depended on Doncic's performance without any doubt, as he serves as a dependable center. Additionally, Tim Hardaway Jr. is building a strong argument for the title of Sixth Man of the Year.
Naturally, there are other factors to take into account apart from just the statistics.
A lot of players decided not to participate in Saturday's game. Doncic had a tiring week, and it would have been understandable if he chose to rest on that day. Despite finding it challenging to play, as Luka mentioned to the reporters afterwards, he gave it his all on the basketball court.
“I found it challenging,” Doncic confesses, acknowledging the difficulties he faced. “Within a span of less than 24 hours, I played for approximately 90 minutes. It was quite a demanding task. Although I was uncertain about my ability to play tonight, I had the desire to be on the court.”
When discussing the MVP debate, one must take into account the amount of work and overall influence that Doncic has on his team.
Doncic's heavy workload
has relied heavily on Doncic's presence and skills during these games, as he serves as a key player for the team. Despite the lack of rest, Doncic has stepped up and performed exceptionally well, demonstrating his ability to handle the pressure and responsibilities on the court. was asked about Doncic's heavy workload Saturday.
Kidd stated that the strategy is constantly to prevent him from scoring more than 48 points. This goal was achieved in tonight's game. Despite the fact that he prefers to handle things on his own, with our team's strong roster, he always tries to carry the load. He thrives on taking on challenges and helping his team, which he did again tonight. Although he didn't shoot as well as he did in the previous game, he still poses a threat. Additionally, he created numerous scoring opportunities for his teammates.
“In the first half, we struggled with shooting the ball. However, in the last four minutes, we began to find our groove and started making shots. This led to it becoming a two-possession game, and it could have easily been a one-possession game if we had made that corner 3-pointer. We had discussed during the game the decision to give him 46 minutes of playing time. The game was almost out of reach at one point, but our players didn't give up and continued to fight. They found themselves in a position to potentially win the game, which resulted in extending his playing time.”
Is Luka Doncic the MVP?
At this moment, it is unlikely that Doncic would be awarded the MVP title, and this is not a criticism against him. Instead, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic are currently leading the race for MVP. Additionally, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jayson Tatum are also being taken into account.
Given the aforementioned points, it is impossible to overlook Doncic's contributions to the Mavericks. He is setting a powerful precedent through his actions and words, displaying exceptional skill and dedication on the court. What else could one desire from a potential MVP?
The season is still ongoing and there is more to come. If Luka Doncic can assist the Mavericks in improving their position in the NBA standings, there is a possibility that he will also rise in the MVP competition. It is unfair to overlook one of the NBA's top stars solely because he is based in Dallas. It is about time that Doncic receives the acknowledgement and credit that he rightfully deserves.