As Luka Doncic gets in shape, the Dallas Mavericks superstar begins to show his form in the NBA.
Doncic had by far his most dominant performance of the season in a 113-100 victory Monday night over the Houston Rockets. He had the maximum of the season with 33 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists, registering his first triple-double of the season, one that had some historical significance.
Doncic now has three of the five 30-15-10 appearances in NBA history by players under the age of 22, according to Elias Sports Bureau research. The others were recorded by two Hall of Fame members, Oscar Robertson in 1960 and Magic Johnson in 1981.
There have been only seven 30-15-10 appearances since Doncic joined the league in 2018-19, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Denver’s Nikola Jokic have two in that period. Doncic’s three performances are second among all players in the past 30 years, behind Russell Westbrook’s five.
“I can’t say I’m surprised,” said Mavs coach Rick Carlisle, of Doncic’s spectacular performance. “He is a great player.”
But Doncic, the Las Vegas oddsmakers’ favorite MVP, did not play to his high standards in the first week and a half of the season, as his conditioning was admittedly a concern.
Carlisle cited the uncertainty of this NBA season’s schedule as a factor in Doncic’s slow start, saying he was one of many players whose off-season routine was interrupted because he believed the season would begin in January or February.
“His preparation schedule was hindered, and he was behind the curve,” Carlisle said. “It is very clear now that he is working back to where he needs to be. As I mentioned the other night, all of his fitness and conditioning indicators are really going in a good, strong direction, which is great. And you can say on the ground . You can see that he is getting better and better with each passing day. “
Doncic, who missed Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls because of a left quadriceps injury, has consistently put in extra work in an effort to regain the shape that made him the first All-NBA team last season. This included a 40-minute post-game shooting session on the American Airlines Center court after a loss to Charlotte Hornets at the Mavs’ home debut, in which Doncic was limited to 12 points and said his “legs are too tired” .
“I’m ready to play,” said Doncic, who beat MVP contender James Harden (21 points, 5 out of 17 shots, 10 assists) on Monday night. “I will continue to prepare, continue to improve, stay in better shape. We have many games, so I will be in shape.”