Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic Goes Off in Win Over Detroit Pistons

Luka Doncic appears to be over his ankle injury. After missing all but three minutes of the Dallas Mavericks' previous two games, the 23-year-old superstar returned with authority in a 111-105 win over the Detroit Pistons, logging 53 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

Luka is THAT guy 🪄🪄🪄 pic.twitter.com/DhY9vnhnrx
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) January 31, 2023

Doncic hit an extremely efficient 17 of his 24 field goal attempts, including five of 11 from three. He also sunk 14 of his 18 free throw attempts. Amazingly, it was his fourth 50+ point game of the season and a full seven points short of his season-high of 60 set in a win against the New York Knicks in late December.

Doncic has been an unstoppable force for the Mavericks this season, averaging 33.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game over his 46 appearances. Unfortunately, featuring the NBA's greatest one-man show isn't serving the Mavericks all that well: they're 27-25 this season and sixth in the Western Conference. Unless the team can improve the talent around Doncic, or he somehow miraculously leaps yet another level, they'll struggle to separate themselves from the pack in a crowded playoff race.

The Mavericks will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night.