A Return After 10 Games For Luka And A Dallas Mavericks Win Over The Thunder
OKLAHOMA CITY (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — A welcome back on the road for Luka Doncic. The star guard had 14 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in his return from a 10-game absence and Marquese Chriss came off the bench to score a season-high 15 points, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 95-86 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night.
Doncic played with a long brace on his left knee and saw just over 31 minutes in his first game in 23 days. He was content with setting up teammates for baskets after missing five games with ankle soreness and five more games due to virus health and safety protocols.
"It was hard. The last time I did five-on-five was like four weeks ago," Doncic said. "Weird feeling, but I'm just really happy to be back. My chest was burning. I think slowly it's going to come back. When I shot, the feeling was weird. I didn't know if it was going to go in or out. There was one shot that feels amazing, I said 'You shot it great and it's going to go in,' and it was an air ball."
The 10-game absence was the longest of Doncic's career. Coach Jason Kidd thought his performance was solid.
"He almost had a triple-double in 30 minutes, so I think he did a great job. He's still trying to get the feel," Kidd said. "He set the table for his teammates, he got his guys great shots, rebounded the ball for us. I just kept asking how was his wind and he said he felt great. It was good to see him out there."
Chriss, on his second 10-day contract after joining the Mavericks on Dec. 21, shot 6 of 9 from the field, including three 3-pointers, and had seven rebounds. He had played in just seven NBA games in the previous two seasons before signing with the Mavericks last month.
"I'd be lying if I said that it didn't feel like there was any pressure," Chriss said. "But at the end of the day, I'm doing what I love and I get to be able to play basketball again. Truthfully, it's been a really long year, just coming back from an injury. Being able to be back on the court, I'm just thankful for that. Just trying to make the most out of the opportunity that I can."
Oklahoma City's Josh Giddey, back after three games in the health and safety protocols, had 17 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds for his first triple-double. He is the youngest NBA player to have a triple-double at 19 years, 2 months, 23 days, beating Charlotte's LaMelo Ball, who had a triple-double at 19 years 10 months, 17 days.
"It's cool, as I said earlier in the year. The individual stats are good, you enjoy it for the night," Giddey said "But a win is always better than individual stats. If I have zero-zero-zero and we win, it's always better than if I have a triple l-double and lose."
Kidd, who had 107 triple-doubles during his playing career, was impressed by Giddey's performance.
"He's unselfish. As a 19-year old, he understands how to play the game," Kidd said. "He's comfortable with the ball, his teammates all know that if he has it, they're gonna cut, because there's a chance that they can get it. He's comfortable shooting the 3. He has the total package. At 19, it's just a matter of time of understanding how teams are going to play him. He's as good as advertised."
(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The CNN Wire™ & © 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company contributed to this report.)
