Luka Doncic is confidently confronting his game’s biggest weakness head-on

Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic
Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic | Sam Hodde/GettyImages

The Dallas Mavericks are in the midst of a five-game winning streak after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 in thrilling fashion. This game not only served as a potential NBA Cup Knockout Round-clinching matchup, but it became a gutsy win that fans will never forget.

After finding themselves down by 15 points at the halfway mark of the fourth quarter, multiple Mavericks such as Spencer Dinwiddie, P.J. Washington, and Luka Doncic stepped up to get the team their 14th win of the season. The Mavericks even closed the game on an 18-2 run which saw Dinwiddie rattle in consecutive threes to take the lead.

Beating the Grizzlies sent Dallas to the NBA Cup quarterfinals where they will play the Oklahoma City Thunder for what could play out as an all-time classic. Not only is the team at its healthiest point all season, but P.J. Washington could be in for a big game against the Thunder, due to his past successes in Oklahoma City.

Despite Dinwiddie and Washington getting the spotlight in Dallas' miraculous comeback, Doncic played a huge role in the Mavericks' comeback and eventual season-defining win.

Doncic believes he's playing some of the best defense of his career

It's no secret that Doncic has struggled on the defensive end of the floor throughout his career and in his efforts to get back into shape at the start of this season. Doncic has not only fumbled the bag defensively multiple times this season but in some cases, his defensive effort has cost the Mavericks a win.

While his defense has seen plenty of regression at moments this season, since returning from injury, Doncic's defense has looked the best it ever has.

Throughout a two-game sample size since returning from a wrist sprain last week, Doncic has recorded seven steals. Of those seven steals, most have come by picking off passing lanes, which have resulted in wide-open layups in transition.

Despite Doncic having an up-and-down defensive season, he believes he is having one of the best of his career.

"I think this season has been one of the best defensive seasons," Doncic said. "I know people don't see it but I'm trying and I'll just get better."

In addition to Doncic's bold take on his defense, the Slovenian superstar commented on how he is bringing more energy on defense, which has resulted in his best defensive season to date.

While Doncic isn't entirely wrong about his defense as he is currently averaging the most steals per game this season in his career at 1.8, it's important to note that this is in the midst of a two-game stretch that has seen Doncic play some of the best defense in his career.

Against the Portland Trail Blazers last Sunday, Doncic recorded three steals that could have been the difference in winning or losing in Portland. Against the Grizzles, Doncic's defensive effort had the same effect as his four steals could have been the difference maker in the tight wins.

Doncic's steals are not only up as a result of him bringing more energy over the last week but his one-on-one defense has looked incredible over this two-game span. While Doncic has gotten the easiest defensive assignments in these two games, he hasn't shied away from embracing screens and switches onto better offensive players.

This effort from Doncic has not only resulted in some of the best wins this season, but it could be the difference in Dallas returning to the NBA Finals if Doncic can keep up this level of defensive production. His effort in the passing lanes, which often leads to steals, has helped the Mavs get off to some strong starts, and this effort and energy must continue.

Assuming Doncic can continue to pour in these defensive numbers, the Mavericks will not only have a good shot at returning to the Finals, but Doncic could have an even better shot at winning his first MVP award.

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