While the Mavericks by and large have struggled to score in the three games Luka Dončić has missed, that hasn’t been the case for Kristaps Porzingis.
And the difference between his 25-point showing against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday and the last time he was at the Staples Center was not lost on him.
“What a contrast, right?” he said after the Mavericks lost 97-91 despite a strong showing by the 7-3 Porzingis, particularly in the fourth quarter when the Mavericks tried to pull out the win.
Porzingis score six of the Mavericks’ last eight points and was the go-to force for the Mavericks in crunch time.
Compare that to the playoffs last season, when he averaged just 14.5 in the four games against the Clippers at Staples Center as he was asked to spread the floor and his role in the offense was reduced.
It was totally different Sunday.
“I haven’t felt like this for a while,” Porzingis said of being the go-to man. “The last time I can remember was probably New York.”
His efforts did not translate into a victory. But it was a wonderful growth moment for the Mavericks as they relied on Porzingis and Jalen Brunson to lead them offensively.
“We were playing through him early and often,” coach Jason Kidd said. “Late in the game, he was able to command the ball. We found him and he converted. Even the shot he missed (that could have cut LA’s lead to 90-89), he had a great look. That’s what you want late in the game when the game is close is your star player stepping up. I thought KP did a great job.”
As Brunson added: “KP was great. He was a force. He was able to get to his spots. He was great. I just wish that myself and us as a team could have helped him win this game. He carried us for a long time.”
Porzingis has averaged 23 points and 9.3 rebounds in the three games Dončić has missed. It’s possible he could return Tuesday in the rematch with the Clippers and finale of this four-game trip.
For Porzingis, he’s not happy with the results. But it’s clear he’s in a better spot emotionally than last season.
“I’m grateful for the support staff we have around us, the coaches and everybody giving me confidence,” he said. “I’m being effective out there, not only scoring but getting my teammates involved.
“With each game, I’m feeling more and more comfortable. Obviously, I put in a lot of work and try to find ways to be a better basketball player. But I’m grateful for the support around me.”
As for the Mavericks’ offense as a whole, they have averaged 97.7 points in the three games without Dončić. They were averaging 105 in the first 13 games.
That said, they scored 29 points in the fourth quarter after getting just 62 in the first three. So obviously, they figured out a few things late in the game.
“I think when you’re missing one of the top five players in the league, it’s definitely a game-changer,” said Brunson, who had a potential three-point play erased upon a video review that turned the basket into an offensive foul. “We just kind of played with a little more sense of urgency in the fourth. We kind of believed we could win that game. We kept fighting. Things happen or don’t happen and the ball doesn’t bounce in our favor. But we’re going to keep learning.”
Injury update: While the Mavericks welcomed back Maxi Kleber after missing nine games with a left oblique strain, they once again were without Dončić.
They also lost backup point guard Frank Ntilikina to a right calf injury in the first half against the Clippers. He did not return to the game.
Kidd had no update on Ntilikina other than to say he was sore and would be re-evaluated on Monday at practice.
As for Dončić, he has missed the first three games of this trip with sprains to his left knee and ankle. Kidd was upgraded to questionable before the game, so progress is being made.
But there was no assurance that he will return on Tuesday.
Kleber’s return was a nice development.
“It was good to see him out there moving well,” Porzingis said. “He didn’t look out of rhythm. We’re happy to have him back and now Luka, hopefully we can get him back as soon as possible. That would be a big difference-maker, obviously.”
Kleber had five points and four rebounds in 20 minutes and said he felt good physically, if not in peak condition.
But he also said there are issues that need fixing offensively.
“Obviously, we want to have Luka back, but we have enough power to win those games,” Kleber said. “There have been three games that have been very close.”
Ty Lue’s TikTok moment: Clippers coach Ty Lue has a cameo appearance in a new TikTok commercial alongside hall of famer Allen Iverson.
It’s a commercial in which people try to duplicate a palms-up move popularized on the social video-posting network.
“That’s the people I’m working for,” Lue said of how he got into the ad. “I have some good people working for me and got me an opportunity. It was kind of fun. I’m glad I did it.”
Asked about his acting ability, Lue simply put his palms up.
“Fairly simple,” he said.
Twitter: @ESefko
Share and comment