Dallas Mavericks: Jalen Brunson may have salvaged the Mavs’ season

Jalen Brunson may have salvaged the season for the Dallas Mavericks. 

Just before Game 2, there wasn’t a whole lot of optimism for the Dallas Mavericks. Luka Doncic was slated to miss another game and already down 1-0 in the series, the outlook for the team’s playoff chances wasn’t looking great.

However, a big performance by Jalen Brunson in Game 2 very well may have salvaged the season for the Mavs.

Brunson finished with 41 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals on 60 percent shooting from the field overall and 60 percent shooting from 3-point range.

Even though the Mavs only split the first two games of this series, which were both on their home floor, Dallas has to feel good about where they stand right now. Even more so considering Luka will have two more full days to recover before Game 3 on Thursday night.

The Mavs’ supporting cast did exactly what it needed to do in these first two games – split them. With Luka out, I don’t think it was fair to expect Dallas to hold serve on their home floor. However, winning one of the first two games without Luka gives the Mavs a puncher’s shot as the series shifts back to Utah.

Even more so if Luka can return sooner rather than later.

Before Luka’s injury, there was hope that this would finally be the year that the Mavs break through the first round of the playoffs. In their first two years in the postseason with Luka, they’ve lost in the first round on both occasions.

This was supposed to be the year, with the Mavs as the third seed, to make it at least to the second round. And perhaps further depending on the second-round matchup.

Though, when Luka went down with an injury during the final day of the regular season, all that was in major jeopardy.

At least momentarily, Brunson’s 40-point performance in Game 2 may have salvaged Dallas’ season. Now, all eyes will be on Luka and a possible return in Game 3 or 4.