Luka Doncic’s rocky start on Thursday night against the Houston Rockets set a challenging tone for the Dallas Mavericks. The Rockets quickly surged ahead, establishing a commanding 34-21 lead by the end of the first quarter, driven by Dillon Brooks’ impressive 10-point contribution. The Mavericks, reeling from Doncic’s uncharacteristic performance, found themselves in a deep hole that would take a monumental effort to escape.
As the reigning scoring champion, Doncic’s lack of rhythm was startling. By halftime, he had managed only 12 points on 5-for-13 shooting, including an unsuccessful attempt from beyond the arc. Trailing 57-44, Doncic took responsibility for the team’s struggles, stating, “That’s me. I’m just starting pretty tough, pretty bad. So I’ll take the blame because I got to do way better than that.” His candidness highlighted the weight of expectations on his shoulders and the urgency for improvement.
The Mavericks’ woes were not limited to Doncic. Besides Kyrie Irving, who managed to shine amid the gloom, the rest of the team struggled to find their shooting touch. Klay Thompson could only muster two successful shots out of five attempts, failing to connect on three-pointers, while Spencer Dinwiddie also struggled from deep. The Mavericks’ offense stumbled through the first half, leaving them to rely heavily on their defense, which managed to keep the Rockets in check for a time.
Though Doncic found his scoring rhythm in the fourth quarter, notching 15 points, it was too little, too late. Despite his late surge, the Rockets maintained their composure and secured a 108-102 victory. This loss pushed Dallas to a 3-2 record, halting their brief two-game winning streak. Doncic finished with 29 points, while Irving added 28, but the team’s overall performance left much to be desired. On the other side, Jalen Green led the Rockets with 23 points and 12 rebounds, with Alperen Sengun contributing significantly as well.
Looking ahead, the Mavericks have a chance for redemption. They will host the Orlando Magic in a crucial matchup after a two-day break. With star Paolo Banchero out, Dallas has an opportunity to regroup and reclaim their momentum. The key will be to avoid another slow start and harness their full potential from the opening tip. This upcoming game could mark a turning point for Doncic and the Mavericks, who are eager to bounce back and solidify their standing in the league.
