Injured but undeterred, Luka Doncic has been sidelined for over a week, yet the Mavericks are riding a hot streak. Dallas has logged four wins in their last five games without their star player, making it time to delve into this impressive performance.
Dallas Mavericks’ Results Without Luka Doncic This Season
- Win @ Thunder 121-119
- Win @ Nuggets 123-120
- Loss @ Heat 123-118 (overtime)
- Win @ Hawks 129-119
- Win vs Knicks 129-114
When Doncic was announced absent for at least a week on November 21, the Mavericks held a record of eight wins and seven losses, and there were valid concerns about the team’s ability to maintain momentum without their superstar. Instead, they flipped the script and powered through, winning three of their last four matchups. Not to mention, they added another victory against the Thunder on November 17, a game that Doncic also sat out.
This run of success marks a significant departure from last season when Dallas struggled tremendously without Doncic, suffering eight losses in twelve games. But under Coach Jason Kidd, the Mavericks have found a way to compensate for his absence, emerging stronger as a collective unit.
The absence of Doncic has undeniably elevated the play of several players who may have been overshadowed by his presence. In fact, over these five games without Luka, a minimum of six players have consistently scored at least ten points, with impressive performances featuring up to seven players hitting that mark in a single game.
- @ Thunder: 7 players with 10+ points (Irving, Washington, Grimes, Marshall, Hardy, Gafford, Dinwiddie)
- @ Nuggets: 7 (Irving, Washington, Grimes, Marshall, Lively, Gafford, Dinwiddie)
- @ Heat: 6 (Irving, Washington, Thompson, Marshall, Lively, Gafford)
- @ Hawks: 6 (Irving, Washington, Marshall, Hardy, Gafford, Dinwiddie)
- vs Knicks: 6 (Irving, Washington, Marshall, Lively, Grimes, Dinwiddie)
Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that, in consecutive games against the Hawks and Knicks, four Mavericks scored 20 or more points—a new franchise record. Standout players like Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington have seized the moment, with Marshall achieving four straight games of 20+ points and Washington delivering five double-doubles, averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds in the absence of Doncic.
This offensive power showcases the Mavericks’ collective strength, but it truly becomes evident when watching them in action. Doncic’s absence has shifted the team’s playing style, moving away from a system reliant on his playmaking to a more fluid approach where the ball moves rapidly, scoring opportunities are more evenly distributed, and the attack feels more balanced. Kyrie Irving has taken on a pivotal role here, opting to involve his teammates instead of stepping in as the primary scorer. When it comes to crunch time, though, he effortlessly flips the switch and channels his inner Uncle Drew.
“A lot of guys stepped up tonight, starting with Kai. He’s our leader. He didn’t start well, but that just shows his basketball IQ. He knew it would come around eventually, which it did in the second half. We learned a lot from this road trip. The players are scoring and playing for each other.” – Jason Kidd (Coach)
All of this doesn’t suggest the Mavericks are better offensively without Doncic; rather, they have become more unpredictable, and so far, opposing defenses have struggled to adapt.
On the defensive end, the Mavericks are also benefiting from Doncic’s absence. While defensive ratings can sometimes underestimate a player’s impact, it’s noteworthy that Dallas’ best defensive lineup this season doesn’t include Doncic (Irving, Thompson, Washington, Grimes, Lively, allowing just 93.1 points per 100 possessions in 27 minutes). In the recent match against the Knicks, they stifled the league’s second-most efficient offense, allowing only 38 points in the first half.
This group boasts versatility on defense, effectively switching and working together in their own half. With these ingredients combined, they’ve managed to guard the rim well. While it’s no secret that Doncic can sometimes be a liability on the defensive end, Dallas has found a rhythm that elevates their entire defensive scheme. As such, they are climbing the ranks in defensive efficiency, currently standing seventh in the NBA at 110.2 points allowed per 100 possessions.
With Doncic close to returning, Coach Kidd hopes he’s taken notes on how well the Mavericks have thrived without him and can adapt to maintain this current momentum. While the team will always revolve around Doncic and his tremendous talent, his supporting cast is maturing before our eyes. This development should bode well for Dallas’ future, as long as role players continue to step up.
Mavs fans will be keeping a keen eye on how Dallas plays when Doncic is back on the court, likely by next week.