The Dallas Mavericks navigated their most recent stretch of games without superstar Luka Doncic rather well. After losing the first four games of the NBA season that he sat out, the team went 5-5 over the 10 games he missed while battling an ankle injury and being in the league’s health and safety protocols.
Taking his place in the lineup during those missed games was Jalen Brunson. Brunson has played very well in the games without Doncic in the lineup, stepping into a larger role in the starting lineup.
In 14 games without Doncic in the lineup, Brunson is averaging 20.1 points, 7.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. In the 22 games that Doncic has played, Brunson’s role isn’t as prominent, as he is averaging 13.5 points, 4.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game.
There is no doubt that Brunson has earned a big role with this team. He is capable of leading the offense whenever Doncic is off the court but also has the skill set to play alongside him. Looking to find a good balance, head coach Jason Kidd has decided that the two will start alongside each other.
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This is an interesting move for Kidd to make. The Mavericks have been looking for a secondary ball-handler to pair with Doncic, so from that perspective, it makes a lot of sense since Brunson fits the bill.
However, their second unit will now need some adjusting, as they will be without a point guard to lead them. We could see Jalen Brunson or Luka Doncic sub out earlier in the first quarter and sub back in later on with Kidd staggering their minutes so that at least one of them is on the court at all times.
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It is something that the Dallas Mavericks will have to feel their way around. Brunson has certainly earned a bigger role and more minutes, and this is one way to reward him for that.
Dallas will be a team to keep an eye on in the coming weeks as they will almost assuredly be in the market for another point guard to help bolster the second unit if Brunson’s move into the starting five is a permanent one.
