Luka Doncic’s sophomore season with the Dallas Mavericks was special. The team ended up being better than anyone thought possible with Doncic taking a leap much sooner than expected. Dallas had an MVP candidate and an electric, though fragile, number two in Kristaps Porzingis.
The Mavericks lost in six games to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. But it didn’t matter, because for the first time in years there was hope. Fans considered the season a success and looked towards a bright future.
But in Doncic’s third season the mood shifted.