Though there will undoubtedly be disappointment in Dallas, the Mavericks and their fans can feel confident in the idea that the future is bright. Following what was a sensational march to the NBA Finals, it’s clear that the Mavs have a solid team and one that’s likely just getting started.
Luka Doncic is looking ahead after historic performance in NBA Finals
On Monday night, the Dallas Mavericks succumbed to the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the 2024 Finals. Even though the Mavs were fresh off of a blowout 122-84 win in Game 4 to take the series to 3-1, it was to be expected. After all, no team has ever overturned a 3-0 deficit in the NBA playoffs. Of course, any shot the Mavs would have had was likely lost in Luka Doncic’s up-and-down performance. From the numerous injuries with which he was struggling – not his fault – to his defensive failures Doncic caused some issues.
That said, the reality is that Doncic was unreal in the playoffs. In the 22 games that the Slovenian played this postseason, he averaged a league-leading 28.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.9 steals in 40.9 minutes per game. What that means is that the 25-year-old is the first player in NBA history to end a run in the playoffs as the league leader in all four of those statistical categories. Keep in mind the injuries we mentioned before and the fact that he played every game.
“It doesn’t matter if I was hurt, how much I was hurt,” Doncic said postgame on Monday night. “I was out there and tried to play but I didn’t do enough.” As for what comes next, the Mavs have only two players who aren’t signed to contracts that go past next season – Derrick Jones Jr. and Markieff Morris. To that end, this is a group that’s sticking together and that’s something that Doncic acknowledges. “I feel great,” Doncic said about the Mavericks’ future. “We did some great [personnel] moves. I would say we’ve been together for five months. I’m proud of every guy that stepped on the floor, all the coaches, all the people behind [the scenes]. Obviously, we didn’t win Finals, but we did have a hell of a season.”