Luka Doncic has been absolutely sensational during the month of February.
One day before the NBA All-Star break, the Dallas Mavericks faced off against the New Orleans Pelicans in another thrilling game. Despite the Pelicans being down 105-81 going into the 4th quarter, the Pelicans fought back with a 37-point 4th quarter but ended up losing 125-1118.
With less than a minute to go, the Pelicans managed to get a steal and quick layup in transition, cutting the Mavericks lead to four. They intentionally fouled Luka Dončić to put him on the line with 49 points, the 2nd most points he has scored in a game right behind the 51 points just seven nights before against the LA Clippers.
Dončić ended up going 0-2 at the free-throw line, not able to close out another 50-point outing and not letting me title this post, Luka Dončić gets another 50-Piece before the All-Star Break.
Regardless, Dončić has had an incredible month and was awarded Conference Player of the Week alongside DeMar DeRozan. Leading his team to a 2-1 week, Dončić averaged an amazing 43 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists during this time. The Mavericks are 6-2 in February and are slowly creeping up the Western Conference standings, sitting in 5th place behind the Utah Jazz.
For February, Dončić has almost averaged a triple-double, averaging 36.3 points, 9.4 assists, and 10.6 rebounds. Throughout these last eight games, there were four times that Dončić scored 40 or more points. Despite averaging 33.5 percent on 3-point shots this season, Luka has shot 43 percent from deep in the last eight games and attempting 9.9 3’s per game.
The elevated play and leadership by Dončić have proven to be effective in helping elevate his teammates. Jalen Brunson, who will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, is playing the best basketball of his career and has proven to be an important piece to this Mavericks team. Brunson gives the Mavericks another solid ball-handler that can pair next to Dončić, and be able to play point guard when Dončić sits.
Brunson has started 40 games this year and has started the last 34 games. A solid mid-range shooter, Brunson is shooting 50.3 percent and averaging a career-high 16.3 points this season. It will be interesting to see what the Mavericks’ plan will be for Brunson this offseason, as he might receive attention from many teams looking for a point guard.
The Mavericks are also going through a new transition with new players after the trade deadline. A week ago at the deadline, the Mavericks sent Kristaps Porziņģis and a protected 2nd-round pick to the Washington Wizards for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. The Mavericks were able to try some new rotations with Dinwiddie and Bertans in their past two games and were able to close out a win in each.
The All-Star weekend is great timing for the Mavericks as many teams in the league need a rest and Mavericks fans can continue this productive play after the long weekend. Dončić will be traveling to Cleveland to participate in his 3rd All-Star game in a row, but this is the first year he is not a starter. Regardless, it should be a fun and entertaining weekend and give Dončić another chance to remind people that he belongs alongside the best in the league.