Mavericks: Luka Doncic puts on show after slow start in preseason opener

Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic puts on a show after a slow start in preseason opener

The Dallas Mavericks are back. They faced the Milwaukee Bucks in the preseason opener on Dec. 12. Fans were excited about the matchup of MVP candidates. Luka Doncic is the favorite this year, but Giannis Antetokounmpo has won two straight. The two superstars promised to put on a show even if was only preseason action.

The Mavs were without Kristaps Porzingis as he recovers from knee surgery. They started Dorian Finney-Smith and Dwight Powell in the frontcourt with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Richardson on the wings. Expect that to be the Mavs opening night starting five.

Luka got off to a slow start against the Bucks on Saturday, but he quickly found his magic. Let us take a look at some of the best plays from the preseason opener.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic puts on a show in the preseason opener

It was a slow start for both Luka and the Mavs. It took two and a half minutes for Dallas to get their first bucket as Josh Richardson nailed a three. Luka was just one of seven from the field during his eight-plus first quarter minutes. The Mavericks trailed 15 to 11 as Doncic headed to the bench.

He returned with 8:02 remaining in the second and quickly found his rhythm. Luka sank this fancy Euro step just seconds later.

That got him going. Doncic drilled this 3-pointer during the second quarter too.

https://twitter.com/dallasmavs/status/1337940642492768257

The 21-year-old had 13 points, two rebounds, and four assists in the first half. He was five of 13 from the field and three of five on threes. Luka found Josh Richardson for two corner triples as he drove into the paint during the second quarter. That could become a lethal play for the Mavs this season.

Luka Doncic and the rest of the Dallas Mavericks starters did not return in the second half. Their star had 13 points in 16 minutes after a slow start. Doncic is ready for his best season yet, and fans will not want to miss a second of the action. The Mavericks face the Bucks again in their second preseason game on Monday. Stay tuned.