The Dallas Mavericks, led by Luka Dončić, clinched a 123-113 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. This win solidified their advantage in the season series, now standing at 2-1 against the Western Conference powerhouse spearheaded by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Doncic, a five-time All-Star, showcased a stellar performance, surpassing his season averages with 41 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists. He shot 14-of-27 from the field at an impressive 51.9%, including 6-of-11 from beyond the arc at 54.5%.
Interestingly, Doncic found his defense equally satisfying in the game, a notable improvement from previous performances. When questioned about his defensive efforts, particularly a crucial stop against Durant, Doncic expressed his pride:
“Not just in the fourth, but even throughout the game, I take a big pride in that, and I think I was good today.” This enhancement in defensive prowess could be attributed to his improved conditioning, fostered by his participation with the Slovenian national team at the FIBA World Cup during the off-season.
Statistically, when Doncic guarded opponents, they shot at 44.1% from the paint on 13.9 attempts, 37.9% from mid-range on 8.1 attempts, and 38.0% from the corner 3s on 4.3 attempts. Additionally, he managed to secure three steals against the Suns.
Throughout his career, Doncic has shown continuous progression in his defensive game, aligning with coach Jason Kidd’s defensive philosophy for the team. This is further bolstered by the presence of athletic wings and stretch bigs supporting him and Kyrie Irving.
