Luka Dončić’s Return Fuels Mavericks to Blowout Victory Over Depleted Pelicans

Luka Dončić's return powers the Mavericks to a dominant 132-91 win over the Pelicans, showcasing depth, defense, and a season-best offensive performance.

Photo via Dallas Mavericks

DALLAS — Luka Dončić made his presence felt early and often, sparking the Dallas Mavericks to a season-best performance in a 132-91 rout of the New Orleans Pelicans in Tuesday night’s NBA Cup group-stage matchup. With contributions across the roster with seven double-figure scoring performances, the Mavericks overwhelmed the injury-riddled Pelicans, marking their most significant margin of victory this season and first wire-to-wire win.

Dončić, who missed Sunday’s game against Oklahoma City with a knee injury, returned to lead Dallas with a game-high 26 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals in 30 minutes. His presence was instrumental in a first-quarter explosion where the Mavericks put up 44 points, setting the tone for the rest of the night.