Dallas Mavericks: Top 3 individual performances from the 2018-19 NBA season

Dallas Mavericks fans had mixed feelings in the lead-up to the 2018/19 NBA season. A new star was set to be born in the form of Luka Doncic, but one that had shone brightly for over two decades was on the verge of being extinguished for good.

Most of the headlines ahead of the start of the season surrounded Dirk Nowitzki and his farewell tour. However, while Dirk faded into the background over the course of the campaign, the likes of Dwight Powell, Jalen Brunson etc. emerged from the shadows.

The season ultimately ended in underwhelming fashion, with Dallas managing a 33-49 record, but what the Mavs lacked in substance, they made up for in style, providing their fans with plenty of excitement over the course of the season.

One of the highlights of their season was the trade that secured the services of Kristaps Porzingis meaning they are in a great position to compete next season.

On that note, here's looking at the three best individual performances from the Mavericks' season:

(Honourable mention: Dirk Nowitzki bows out in style with 30 points in his final home game)

#3 No Doncic, no problem, says Jalen Brunson

Brunson was drafted with the 33rd overall pick in the 2018 draft and was not expected to play too much of a role over the course of the Mavericks' season.

However, injuries to Dennis Smith Jr. and backup point guard JJ Barea meant Brunson was thrust into the limelight.

While his contributions were underwhelming for the most part, he did have a few moments to savor - including one particular performance against the San Antonio Spurs.

With the Mavericks' go-to scorer Luka Doncic struggling from the field, Dallas needed someone to step up and carry the load. Enter Brunson.

The 22-year-old shot a lights-out 12-16 from the field, making three of his six attempts from beyond the arc. He also went 7-7 from the free throw line to finish with 34 points, becoming just the fourth Mavs rookie in 15 years to score 30 points in a game.

#2 Dwight Powell's efficient shooting night

Dallas Mavericks v New York Knicks

Dwight Powell has frustrated and delighted in equal measure over the past few seasons, but in 2018/19, he sparkled, for the most part.

Although his displays were often overshadowed by the numbers Luka Doncic posted on a nightly basis, Powell's contributions played an important role in the Mavericks' campaign.

Powell was at his efficient best in the Mavs' road loss to the Washington Wizards in March. With DeAndre Jordan traded to the Knicks, Powell was receiving more minutes and he finally made it count.

In an ultra-efficient showing from the field, Powell finished with 26 points, making 11 of his 12 shot attempts.

He also grabbed 10 rebounds - 5 of them on the offensive glass - in what was a truly dominant display.

His effort was not enough to power the Mavericks to a win, but it remains one of the most memorable performances of the season.

#1 Luka Doncic makes history vs the Raptors

Dallas Mavericks v Washington Wizards

20-year-old Luka Doncic, in his first season in the NBA, carried the Mavericks on his shoulders for the entirety of the season. A hot favourite to win the Rookie of the Year award on the back of some other-worldly performances, the Doncic gamble has clearly paid off for the Mavericks.

If they can land a top free agent in the offseason, the Mavericks could be the ones to end the dominance of the Golden State Warriors once and for all.

Coming back to this season though, there were a number of stellar displays from Doncic over the course of the campaign, with one truly standing out.

Although it ended in a losing cause, Doncic's monster triple-double against Kawhi Leonard's Raptors truly signified his arrival.

Luka finished with 35 points, 10 assists and 12 rebounds, becoming 1 of only three players to post such a statline in the season. He also entered the record books, becoming the first teenager in NBA history to record two triple-doubles in a season.

Doncic took over down the stretch, dishing out assists, crashing the offensive glass and making some tough contested shots to keep his side in the game.

With the Mavs trailing by 7 with under 30 seconds to go, Luka sized up a contested three and let fly over Kawhi, arguably the best perimeter defender in the league, in a show of confidence and arrogance.

While the clock expired on Doncic's comeback and Mavericks ended up losing the game, it is a performance that truly characterizes the impact he's going to have over the years.