Luka Doncic Speaks on 'Way Better' Dallas Mavs Start Fueled By ‘Unselfish Basketball’
NEW ORLEANS — After the Dallas Mavericks' 136-124 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, the team improved to 8-2 through 10 games. It's the best record Luka Doncic has experienced through such a period to begin a season since being drafted by the Mavs in 2018.
Doncic is thriving in his production, as he tends to, given he's a four-time All-NBA First-Team player, averaging 32.6 points (NBA leader), 8.4 rebounds, and 8.5 assists (third in NBA). He's doing so while shooting an impressive 52.6 percent from the floor, 41.7 percent from deep, and 78.7 percent on free throws.
Despite a significantly changed roster, Doncic has continued to provide dynamic contributions as the focus while maximizing his talent alongside Irving. After recording 30 points and nine rebounds against the Pelicans, the Slovenian superstar has finished with at least 30 points and eight assists in his last three games.
Right now, Doncic sees the Mavs as having fun playing together and appreciates the team's commitment to executing on defense. Both of those factors have been integral in helping the team succeed despite Irving finding his form early on instead of relying on two superstars having massive games to compete.
"We're playing good basketball and playing defense," Doncic said. "We're just enjoying it. We're having fun that way."
Last season, the Mavs entered with a vastly different core group than the personnel they closed the season with. Spencer Dinwiddie was starting in the backcourt alongside Doncic after Jalen Brunson's departure, Dorian Finney-Smith and Reggie Bullock were starting on the wings, and JaVale McGee was removed from the starting lineup after being the opening night starter.
Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
Last season, the Mavs began with a 6-4 record through 10 games in 2022 but ultimately struggled to close the season, with injuries to superstars being a theme, along with the decline of an already struggling defense before making a significant trade. Doncic feels this year's start has been "way better" but understands there will be ups and downs.
“It’s way better,” Doncic said. “When you’re winning, everything’s great. There will be some tough stretches; it’s a long season. So we’ve got to keep the same energy, but it’s been great so far.”
The key to the Mavs' success early on has been an unselfish brand of basketball, with Doncic and Irving making a significant impact while bringing the best out of the group around them. The key becomes taking advantage of the opposition's limitations and exploiting them, as the Mavs did against the Pelicans' use of an early low-man.
"I think we're playing unselfish basketball. We're just sharing the ball," Doncic said. "We knew they would have the low-man early there, so there were a lot of corner 3s for us. We got them up 53 [3-point attempts]. Not all of them, but most of them were really good shots. That's what we have to do [going forward]."
The blueprint for the Mavs' success while playing their intended identity was displayed against the Pelicans. The team wants to play faster yet efficiently through shotmaking and keeping turnovers at a minimum. Dallas had a season-high 108 possessions and 30 fastbreak points while getting up 53 3-point attempts and turning the ball over for a season-low six times.
The Mavs will face the Pelicans again in New Orleans on Tuesday before continuing their four-game road trip, which features matchups against the Washington Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks.
