How the Damian Lillard injury impacts Luka Doncic and the Mavericks

Damian Lillard injury’s impact on Dallas Mavericks: 2. Luka awards

Lillard was first-team All-NBA in 2018, just before Luka Doncic arrived in Dallas. For the last two seasons, Dame has been bumped to the second team in part because the Mavericks superstar has taken a place in the first team.

Luka’s path to accolades got easier with Lillard out for an extended period. Dame is going to miss the All-Star game, and his absence will crush his quest for All-NBA honors. Doncic and Lillard battle over starting the All-Star game and making first-team All-NBA, but those fights will be non-existent this year.

Grizzlies star Ja Morant is having a breakout season and is in contention to start next to Stephen Curry in the West’s backcourt. Suns guards Chris Paul and Devin Booker, and Jazz star Donovan Mitchell are all looking to keep Luka from starting his third straight All-Star game. The fans will need to give Doncic a significant edge if the Mavericks superstar is going to earn the honor.

Luka has not played his best basketball so far this season, but he deserves to be an All-Star and continues to produce All-NBA caliber numbers. Doncic must stay healthy and help the Dallas Mavericks into the playoffs to secure the honors. Things got a little less crowded with Damian Lillard on the sidelines for an extended stretch.