Luka Doncic is already one of the postseason’s brightest stars

DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 25: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates after scoring against the Utah Jazz in the second quarter of Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 25, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Luka Doncic has been special since well before the moment he stepped on an NBA court. And in the NBA postseason, where the basketball wheat is separated from the basketball chaff, Luka continues to show that he is the real deal.

Managing feats that only Oscar Robertson has achieved and finding himself on lists with MJ and Wilt, Luka has undeniably shined for the Mavericks thus far in his playoff career.

Luka Doncic is already one of the postseason’s brightest stars

Surprisingly, in his third season, Luka is still trying to escape the first round for the first time in his career. In the playoffs, statistical achievements are merely numbers – it’s the wins that matter. And the wins have unfortunately escaped Luka’s grasp thus far in his career.

But as the Mavericks look to move past the Utah Jazz later this week, it’s time to appreciate the greatness displayed by the Mavs’ young star.

Luka Doncic is still very early in his NBA career, but the Slovenian is on a trajectory to join the conversation as one of the greatest to ever play the sport of basketball.

Through fifteen career playoff games, Doncic is averaging 33.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists, doing it all for his team before even his 24th birthday. In 2021, Doncic led the Mavericks to a seven-game series against Kawhi Leonard’s LA Clippers, providing classic playoff moments in a memorable first-round series.

The prior season, also facing the Clippers, Luka had this amazing moment in the NBA’s bubble:

Doncic thrives in a playoff environment because to him, no moment is too intimidating. Luka arrived in the NBA brimming with confidence, and his bravado doesn’t falter when the lights are brightest.

Despite magnificent playoff performances in his first two seasons, Luka has yet to enjoy a long playoff run. If this is the year Doncic can finally break through his first-round ceiling, NBA fans will be in for a treat.

Fans of international basketball will remember Luka’s magical run with the Slovenian national team, advancing to the Olympics and nearly making the gold medal match, before falling just one point short to a powerhouse France team in the semi-final.

I’m expecting similar runs for years to come from Doncic in the NBA playoffs. Luka’s elite basketball mind and surgeon-like approach to dissecting defenses will always allow him to succeed when the game gets tougher deep in the playoffs. Even when Doncic finds himself with an inferior roster, Luka is a dynamic offensive engine that can get his team to compete.

A potential second-round date with the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns could cut another Luka run short early in his career. Phoenix is a daunting opponent, and is expected to easily advance to the conference finals, so a Mavericks loss wouldn’t be all-too surprising.

But Luka Doncic is off to a special start to his playoff career. And I’m here to tell you that it’s only going to get better.