The workload for Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic was a hot topic in recent days. Last week, the NBA All-Star admitted that he was already feeling fatigued from carrying such a heavy load of the team’s offense. Doncic was off to an incredible, but unsustainable, start as he scored 30+points in nine straight games to start the season.
Doncic was the only player in NBA history to reach the 30-point plateau that many games in a row to start a season other than Wilt Chamberlain, but it was clearly taking a toll. The streak was snapped in a loss to the Orlando Magic in which Doncic shot 9-of-29 from the field and scored 24 points.
Things were just as bad against the Washington Wizards as Doncic shot 8-of-21 and scored 22 points. The Mavericks lost both games despite Spencer Dinwiddie doing everything he could to pick up the slack.
Doncic said he may have to pick his places to get rest during the season and head coach Jason Kidd said that if the team continued using Doncic to this extent he would be burned out before Christmas.
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It is something to keep an eye on as the season moves along, but one night of rest seems to have done wonders for Doncic. He responded with a huge 42-point triple-double against the Portland Trail Blazers over the weekend, getting the Mavericks back into the win column.
“He had 42 – triple-double,” Kidd said. “Just a little walk in the park. He had a historic start – that’s something that is special. Nothing against what Wilt [Chamberlain] did but Wilt was playing against six feet or under. I’m joking. But he’s human. But again, I think losing two in a row and not playing well – I think the guys who’ve seen him the most, he’s always bounced back. And that’s what he did tonight. He could have easily taken the game off to get some rest, but he fought and put us in a position to win.”
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It was certainly encouraging to see Doncic get things going again as Dallas needs him to play at a high level to find success on the court. After two poor games, he made some adjustments as well, making a concerted effort to get into the paint.
“I was just attacking the paint,” Doncic said “You could see the last two games I didn’t get the free throw line and I wasn’t efficient because I wasn’t going into the lane.”
Against the Magic and Wizards, Doncic took 16 free throws, going 4-of-7 in the Orlando game and 3-of-9 against Washington. He relentlessly attacked the Trail Blazers’ defense, attempting 18 free throws and finding much more success, making 15 of them.
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Getting the opportunity at easy points at the foul line is paramount to finding success on offense for Doncic. After his hot start, his efficiency has begun regressing to the mean, something he can offset by making trips to the charity stripe.
