The Dallas Mavericks were expected to make a jump forward this season, what with Kristaps Porzingis finally healthy and ready to return to action for the first time alongside reigning Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic. But no one expected the explosion we’ve seen thus far from the 20-year-old Croatian.
In 15 games this season, Doncic already has recorded seven triple-doubles, including a ridiculous 35 points-11 assists-10 rebound masterpiece in just 25½ minutes on Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors. As for the Mavs, they are 10-5 and right in the middle of things in the rugged Western Conference.
It’s fair to say Doncic has not fallen victim to a sophomore slump. He’s averaging 29.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 33.9 minutes per game while shooting 49.3 percent overall, 34.6 percent on 9.1 3-point attempts per game and 82.1 percent at the line.
Those are gigantic leaps over his rookie numbers — 21.2, 7.8, 7.0, 1.1, 32.2, 42.7 percent, 32.7 percent on 7.1 attempts and 71.3 percent. Doncic is currently second in the NBA in assists, fourth in scoring and 12th in rebounding and has kept Dallas winning even as Porzingis has struggled in the early part of the season after not playing for 20 months.
But again, there’s a whole lot of season left and likely some significant shifts in both the standings and this board.