In the post-trades era for the Mavericks, the situation has changed for blockbuster rookie Luka Doncic.
He now carries the weight of the team on his 19-year-old shoulders. On Sunday, Doncic answered the call.
Doncic keyed a fourth-quarter comeback in which the Mavericks overcame a 15-point deficit with 9:30 remaining to defeat Portland, 102-101, at the American Airlines Center. Doncic played the entire quarter, a rarity, and had 13 points along with participating in a defense that held the Blazers to nine points in the period.
"It was one of those times where he was going to have to finish for us to have a chance,'' coach Rick Carlisle said.