Will Luka Doncic Go The Entire Postseason Without Scoring 40+ points in a game?

[SelfishPlayer]

Luka hasn't scored 40 or more points since 3/31/2024. Will he go the entire postseason without a 40+ game?

[TheGeneral99]

Who cares, lol.

He's averaging 29ppg, 10rpg, 9apg and 2spg on solid splits on this playoff run. That not enough for you?

[hugepatsfan]

The way BOS is playing him, I expect he’ll get one. They’re helping but not to the crazy degree. They’re trying to force him to be 40-5 assists rather than 30-10 if they can (though he got to 30-10 last night still). He’s so special that if they keep doing that I think he gets 40 one night since they seem “willing” to concede that in a sense.

[SelfishPlayer]

Who cares, lol.

He's averaging 29ppg, 10rpg, 9apg and 2spg on solid splits on this playoff run. That not enough for you?

I innately found it off that he hasn't scored 40 or more in the postseason as their top scorer. I innately felt it was a common thing for the top scorer on a championship winning team to have at least a 40 point game at some point during the postseason. I was right. Jokic, Steph, Giannis, and LeBron all had 40 point games during their postseason championship runs.

[TheGeneral99]

Who cares, lol.

He's averaging 29ppg, 10rpg, 9apg and 2spg on solid splits on this playoff run. That not enough for you?

I innately found it off that he hasn't scored 40 or more in the postseason as their top scorer. I innately felt it was a common thing for the top scorer on a championship winning team to have at least a 40 point game at some point during the postseason. I was right. Jokic, Steph, Giannis, and LeBron all had 40 point games during their postseason championship runs.

And how many superstars averaged basically a triple double during a playoff run?

[SelfishPlayer]

Who cares, lol.

He's averaging 29ppg, 10rpg, 9apg and 2spg on solid splits on this playoff run. That not enough for you?

I innately found it off that he hasn't scored 40 or more in the postseason as their top scorer. I innately felt it was a common thing for the top scorer on a championship winning team to have at least a 40 point game at some point during the postseason. I was right. Jokic, Steph, Giannis, and LeBron all had 40 point games during their postseason championship runs.

And how many superstars averaged basically a triple double during a playoff run?

Heliocentric basketball is generally a non championship style of basketball. Luka is just playing average. He's just being Luka. He needs some above average Luka performances.

[TheGeneral99]

Who cares, lol.

He's averaging 29ppg, 10rpg, 9apg and 2spg on solid splits on this playoff run. That not enough for you?

I innately found it off that he hasn't scored 40 or more in the postseason as their top scorer. I innately felt it was a common thing for the top scorer on a championship winning team to have at least a 40 point game at some point during the postseason. I was right. Jokic, Steph, Giannis, and LeBron all had 40 point games during their postseason championship runs.

A bit nit picky here.

Steph had one 40 point game during his 2022 playoff run.

Lebron had one 40 point game during his 2020 playoff run.

At the end of the day look at their total playoff numbers together:

Donic 2024 playoff run: 29ppg, 9apg and 10rpg
Jokic 2023 playoff run: 30ppg, 10apg and 14rpg
Curry 2022 playoff run: 27ppg, 6apg and 5rpg
Giannis 2021 playoff run: 30ppg, 5apg and 13rpg
Lebron 2020 playoff run: 28ppg, 9apg and 11rpg

Looking at stats alone, Jokic' 2023 run was the most impressive. Doncic' stats are on par with Lebron in 2020 and Giannis in 2021.

[KembaWalker]

He’d rather score a hyperefficient 30 and get all the pity for crappy teammates than put up 50 and lose and get called a chucking ball hog, even if the result is the same

[Lalouie]

Who cares, lol.

He's averaging 29ppg, 10rpg, 9apg and 2spg on solid splits on this playoff run. That not enough for you?

I innately found it off that he hasn't scored 40 or more in the postseason as their top scorer. I innately felt it was a common thing for the top scorer on a championship winning team to have at least a 40 point game at some point during the postseason. I was right. Jokic, Steph, Giannis, and LeBron all had 40 point games during their postseason championship runs.

he's been feeding his bigs,,,,,,,,SUCCESSFULLY

[SelfishPlayer]

Who cares, lol.

He's averaging 29ppg, 10rpg, 9apg and 2spg on solid splits on this playoff run. That not enough for you?

I innately found it off that he hasn't scored 40 or more in the postseason as their top scorer. I innately felt it was a common thing for the top scorer on a championship winning team to have at least a 40 point game at some point during the postseason. I was right. Jokic, Steph, Giannis, and LeBron all had 40 point games during their postseason championship runs.

he's been feeding his bigs,,,,,,,,SUCCESSFULLY

Postseason averages: Gafforrd 9.4 ppg, Lively 7.8 ppg, keep feeding them Luka...

[Berbasecks]

with how banged up he is, I'm certainly not expecting it

[Ayt]

Who cares, lol.

He's averaging 29ppg, 10rpg, 9apg and 2spg on solid splits on this playoff run. That not enough for you?

I innately found it off that he hasn't scored 40 or more in the postseason as their top scorer. I innately felt it was a common thing for the top scorer on a championship winning team to have at least a 40 point game at some point during the postseason. I was right. Jokic, Steph, Giannis, and LeBron all had 40 point games during their postseason championship runs.

You actually think this matters?

[SelfishPlayer]

Who cares, lol.

He's averaging 29ppg, 10rpg, 9apg and 2spg on solid splits on this playoff run. That not enough for you?

I innately found it off that he hasn't scored 40 or more in the postseason as their top scorer. I innately felt it was a common thing for the top scorer on a championship winning team to have at least a 40 point game at some point during the postseason. I was right. Jokic, Steph, Giannis, and LeBron all had 40 point games during their postseason championship runs.

You actually think this matters?

The Celtics are daring Luka to take over. This isn't the series for Luka to simply bring his average. Luka or Kyrie will need a 40+ game this series.

[LaLover11]

I innately found it off that he hasn't scored 40 or more in the postseason as their top scorer. I innately felt it was a common thing for the top scorer on a championship winning team to have at least a 40 point game at some point during the postseason. I was right. Jokic, Steph, Giannis, and LeBron all had 40 point games during their postseason championship runs.

You actually think this matters?

The Celtics are daring Luka to take over. This isn't the series for Luka to simply bring his average. Luka or Kyrie will need a 40+ game this series.

Read on Twitter

[BruttoNostra]

I innately found it off that he hasn't scored 40 or more in the postseason as their top scorer. I innately felt it was a common thing for the top scorer on a championship winning team to have at least a 40 point game at some point during the postseason. I was right. Jokic, Steph, Giannis, and LeBron all had 40 point games during their postseason championship runs.

he's been feeding his bigs,,,,,,,,SUCCESSFULLY

Postseason averages: Gafforrd 9.4 ppg, Lively 7.8 ppg, keep feeding them Luka...

You know you're talking about two bigs with zero offense besides lobs, right? One of them is still a rookie.
And they together average 17.2 ppg on 64% from the field in 43 mpg, which is 14.4 points per 36.

For comparison, the highest Points per 36 in these playoffs among Centers who never been All-Stars is 19.1 by Myles Turner - and he's got 8 points per 36 only from 3pointers, he isn't clueless as Dallas centers with a ball in his hands outside the dunkers spot.

Now, successful lobs per team so far in 2024 playoffs (some data from 6 days ago):
Mavs - 54
Nuggets- 9
Thunder- 8
Cavs- 7
Wolves- 6
Celtics- 6
....

Another way to show it:
Dereck Lively: 22
Daniel Gafford: 17
Derrick Jones: 10
Nuggets: 9

So yes, if anything, Luka (and Kyrie and even Hardy) feeds his bigs VERY successfully.

And give credit to this Celtics team to taking away the lob threat (as well as eliminating corner threes), daring Mavs role players to shoot threes from the spots they aren't comfortable with.

[SelfishPlayer]

he's been feeding his bigs,,,,,,,,SUCCESSFULLY

Postseason averages: Gafforrd 9.4 ppg, Lively 7.8 ppg, keep feeding them Luka...

You know you're talking about two bigs with zero offense besides lobs, right? One of them is still a rookie.
And they together average 17.2 ppg on 64% from the field in 43 mpg, which is 14.4 points per 36.

For comparison, the highest Points per 36 in these playoffs among Centers who never been All-Stars is 19.1 by Myles Turner - and he's got 8 points per 36 only from 3pointers, he isn't clueless as Dallas centers with a ball in his hands outside the dunkers spot.

Now, successful lobs per team so far in 2024 playoffs (some data from 6 days ago):
Mavs - 54
Nuggets- 9
Thunder- 8
Cavs- 7
Wolves- 6
Celtics- 6
....

Another way to show it:
Dereck Lively: 22
Daniel Gafford: 17
Derrick Jones: 10
Nuggets: 9

So yes, if anything, Luka (and Kyrie and even Hardy) feeds his bigs VERY successfully.

And give credit to this Celtics team to taking away the lob threat (as well as eliminating corner threes), daring Mavs role players to shoot threes from the spots they aren't comfortable with.

Did you really think that the Mavs were going to lob dunk and corner three their way to a championship? Did you really think that the "others" were going to win the title for the Mavs without a team finally adjusting? Now it's Luka's turn to play above his averages.

[blueberrysticky]

He’s still the best scorer in the nba. But he knows that 40+ isn’t the answer.Not unless it’s in the flow of the game. Hes done that plenty on previous playoff runs when there wasn’t a Kyrie.


He has to get his 30-35+ AND most importantly find a way to get help from his teammates. Up until this series he was masterful at getting lobs and open corner 3s. Boston has taken that away to their credit. But the non-Luka mavs can’t shoot this series. It’s the worst they’ve shot on 3s period

He’s flustered, feels he’s outnumbered and like he has to do everything and is burnt out by the 4th. No excuse for his turnovers but he’s just flinging the ball hoping to get his teammates something

[SelfishPlayer]

He’s still the best scorer in the nba. But he knows that 40+ isn’t the answer.Not unless it’s in the flow of the game. Hes done that plenty on previous playoff runs when there wasn’t a Kyrie.


He has to get his 30-35+ AND most importantly find a way to get help from his teammates. Up until this series he was masterful at getting lobs and open corner 3s. Boston has taken that away to their credit. But the non-Luka mavs can’t shoot this series. It’s the worst they’ve shot on 3s period

He’s flustered, feels he’s outnumbered and like he has to do everything and is burnt out by the 4th. No excuse for his turnovers but he’s just flinging the ball hoping to get his teammates something

It isn't always the answer, but right now it is. It's called "shutting down everyone else, and let him get his." Well Luka isn't "getting his" to a large enough degree to get victory. Luka needs to score more and the lobs/threes will open up.

[BruttoNostra]

Postseason averages: Gafforrd 9.4 ppg, Lively 7.8 ppg, keep feeding them Luka...

You know you're talking about two bigs with zero offense besides lobs, right? One of them is still a rookie.
And they together average 17.2 ppg on 64% from the field in 43 mpg, which is 14.4 points per 36.

For comparison, the highest Points per 36 in these playoffs among Centers who never been All-Stars is 19.1 by Myles Turner - and he's got 8 points per 36 only from 3pointers, he isn't clueless as Dallas centers with a ball in his hands outside the dunkers spot.

Now, successful lobs per team so far in 2024 playoffs (some data from 6 days ago):
Mavs - 54
Nuggets- 9
Thunder- 8
Cavs- 7
Wolves- 6
Celtics- 6
....

Another way to show it:
Dereck Lively: 22
Daniel Gafford: 17
Derrick Jones: 10
Nuggets: 9

So yes, if anything, Luka (and Kyrie and even Hardy) feeds his bigs VERY successfully.

And give credit to this Celtics team to taking away the lob threat (as well as eliminating corner threes), daring Mavs role players to shoot threes from the spots they aren't comfortable with.

Did you really think that the Mavs were going to lob dunk and corner three their way to a championship? Did you really think that the "others" were going to win the title for the Mavs without a team finally adjusting? Now it's Luka's turn to play above his averages.

I only responded to your:

Postseason averages: Gafforrd 9.4 ppg, Lively 7.8 ppg, keep feeding them Luka...

So let's agree Luka has been feeding them great, and your simple stats don't show the whole picture.
Never ever I said anything you suggest I "really thought".
Indeed it's up for Kidd and Luka to adjust now to almost a perfect Boston defense. It's kind of disappointing they didn't prepare for it (or didn't execute it well enough). The first game was a mess, in the second they came up with Gafford post up on Tatum, but it's not what will win games for them, Gafford is still too limited on the O end.

[dygaction]

Postseason averages: Gafforrd 9.4 ppg, Lively 7.8 ppg, keep feeding them Luka...

You know you're talking about two bigs with zero offense besides lobs, right? One of them is still a rookie.
And they together average 17.2 ppg on 64% from the field in 43 mpg, which is 14.4 points per 36.

For comparison, the highest Points per 36 in these playoffs among Centers who never been All-Stars is 19.1 by Myles Turner - and he's got 8 points per 36 only from 3pointers, he isn't clueless as Dallas centers with a ball in his hands outside the dunkers spot.

Now, successful lobs per team so far in 2024 playoffs (some data from 6 days ago):
Mavs - 54
Nuggets- 9
Thunder- 8
Cavs- 7
Wolves- 6
Celtics- 6
....

Another way to show it:
Dereck Lively: 22
Daniel Gafford: 17
Derrick Jones: 10
Nuggets: 9

So yes, if anything, Luka (and Kyrie and even Hardy) feeds his bigs VERY successfully.

And give credit to this Celtics team to taking away the lob threat (as well as eliminating corner threes), daring Mavs role players to shoot threes from the spots they aren't comfortable with.

Did you really think that the Mavs were going to lob dunk and corner three their way to a championship? Did you really think that the "others" were going to win the title for the Mavs without a team finally adjusting? Now it's Luka's turn to play above his averages.

Keep asking yourself:

Did you really think that the Mavs were going to lob dunk and corner three their way to make playoffs without Brunson?
Did you really think that the Mavs were going to lob dunk and corner three their way to win a playoff series without Brunson?
Did you really think that the Mavs were going to lob dunk and corner three their way to the WCSF without Brunson?
Did you really think that the Mavs were going to lob dunk and corner three their way to the WCF without Brunson?
Did you really think that the Mavs were going to lob dunk and corner three their way to a WC championship?
Did you really think that the Mavs were going to lob dunk and corner three their way to a championship without Brunson?

It may stop somewhere but Luka is 25, the team is both young and new, and no two starters have played more than 70 regular season games together. Two starters joined right before in season trade deadline.
For comparison, Tatum/Brown/Horford have been playing together for 6 full seasons. White joined 3 years ago. Jrue/Porzingis joined during the summer.