4 Mavericks whose stocks are rising, 4 that are falling before Thunder series

1. Falling: Luka Doncic

Heading into the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Luka Doncic was playing at an elite level as he averaged 32 points, 10.8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from downtown.

Doncic was on an absolute tear towards the end of the season, but his play during the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs was not great. He averaged 29.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 0.5 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 40.5 percent from the field and 23.9 percent from downtown.

Saying Doncic struggled while nearly averaging a triple-double may seem wrong, but he clearly wasn't himself. He was clearly hindered by his knee injury that still hasn't fully healed, and he was also battling an illness for the whole series.

The lift on his jumper clearly wasn't there like it was during the regular season and his struggles as a shooter were concerning at points during this series. Doncic dominated in other ways during the series and was getting to his spots inside the arc towards the end of the series, and the Mavs will ultimately go as far as he takes them.

If Doncic struggles against the Oklahoma City Thunder, they could be at risk of going home earlier than expected. If Doncic gets back to playing like the best player in the league, this could be a quick series in favor of the Mavs.

For all the latest on Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks throughout the 2024 NBA Playoffs, stay tuned.