Mavs-Hawks preview: At times like this, Luka Dončić clearly missed

ATLANTA – It’s games like Sunday’s against the Miami Heat where the Dallas Mavericks clearly miss point guard Luka Dončić.

While the Heat were able to aggressively body-up on Kyrie Irving and force him into shooting just nine of 21 from the field, had Dončić been available to play, he would have been able to take some of that pressure off Irving.

Instead, the harassment of Irving – coupled with a litany of other factors – led to the Heat edging the Mavs in overtime, 123-118. It also led to Irving saying of Dončić: “I consider him part of my family, part of my tribe. We miss him, obviously, but it’s got to be the next man up mentality.”

Where Dončić reigns supreme is he thrives on late-game situations where a key basket – or pass — needs to be made. It’s a part of his DNA which makes him one of the best players in the world.

But until Dončić returns from his right wrist sprain – he’ll miss Monday’s visit to the Atlanta Hawks — the Mavs will have to find ways to win games without him.

“These guys in this locker room, we want to compete,” Irving said. “We’ve got some new guys on the team that are getting used to being in that position of getting everybody’s best shot.

“There are no games off. It’s an exciting time, but also I would rather us be 100 percent healthy playing every single game.”

Still, with Dončić sidelined, this affords the Mavs a chance to tap into their deep bench.

“On the flip side of it is where it gives some of our role players opportunities to play bigger, to get more shots, to learn more on the fly, and we’re going to need that later down the line,” Irving said. “I’m appreciative of the time that we’re in, I’m staying present, but also being wishful in terms of us getting healthy at the right time.

“We just got to continue to play hard and be there for one another. You can tell we really enjoy competing at a high level, and we don’t feel like we’re out of any game. I think that’s what’s been a peace of mind for me, going into every game every night with these guys just knowing they’re going to give their all.”

Here are some other nuggets surrounding the game between the Mavs and Hawks.

*This is the finale of a three-game road trip for the Mavs, who are 1-1 so far. The Mavs won in Denver on Friday (123-120), then lost in overtime in Miami on Sunday (123-118). After the game against Atlanta, the Mavs will host the New York Knicks on Wednesday.

*For the Hawks, they’ve lost five of their past eight games, including three of their last four. In their last game, the Hawks lost in Chicago to the Bulls Friday, 136-122.

*The Mavs had seven players score 10 or more points in three straight games before that streak ended against Miami when Dallas only had six players score at least 10 points.

*Atlanta had three players score at least 21 points in the loss to the Bulls. Jalen Johnson finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two blocks, Trae Young contributed 25 points, 13 assists and four steals, and Clint Capela added 21 points and 11 boards.

*Mavs centers Derick Lively II and Daniel Gafford combined for 24 points, 21 rebounds and five blocks against Miami. Lively finished with 14 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks, and Gafford collected 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

*Trae Young leads the Hawks with 22.1ppg, and his 11.7 apg is tops in the NBA. Jalen Johnson averages 19.4 ppg and 10.4 rpg, Dyson Daniels is averaging 14.2 ppg, and Clint Capela is averaging 11.6 ppg and 8.5 rpg. In addition for the Hawks, rookie Zaccharie Risacher — the No. 1 overall pick in June’s NBA Draft — averages 11.4 ppg. Onyeka Okongwu is averaging 10.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg.

DALLAS MAVERICKS (9-8) at ATLANTA HAWKS (7-10)

When: 6:30 p.m., Monday

Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta

TV: KFAA-29, MavsTV Stream, NBA TV

Radio: KEGL 97.1 FM The Eagle, 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

X: @DwainPrice