Mavs’ Luka Doncic Becomes First Player Since LeBron James to Post These Numbers
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic is in the midst of an MVP-caliber season, as he's averaging 34.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 9.4 assists while shooting 49.1 percent overall and 38.0 percent from deep, which is a career-high mark.
Every time you turn around, it seems like Doncic is either breaking NBA records or doing something we haven't seen in many years. The four-time All-NBA First-Teamer turns 25 years old this month, and he's tallied 10,653 points, 3,220 rebounds and 3,056 assists in his young career.
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The only other player in league history to match or exceed those numbers before turning 25 is LeBron James, who did so while playing 130 more games than Doncic. The only other player in league history to match or exceed those numbers in 375 career games is Oscar Robertson.
Doncic has been overlooked as a serious MVP candidate for most of the season thanks in large part to the Mavs’ injury issues. However, after getting Kyrie Irving back from a thumb injury and executing trades for P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, the Mavs are riding a four-game win streak with a solid chance to have it reach six games before the All-Star break.
If the Mavs, who have the third-easiest schedule for the remainder of the season, can continue to build on their 30-23 record, not only will they scale up the Western Conference standings, but Doncic could become the MVP favorite.
