Luka Doncic returns from injury after Dallas Mavericks win

PORTLAND, Ore. – Luka Doncic returned from a wrist injury to score 36 points in the Dallas Mavericks’ 137-131 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.

An enthusiastic Doncic, who missed five games, also had 13 assists in the Mavericks’ fourth straight win. And after it was all said and done, when asked about their feelings, the club’s social media team cheerfully replied: “Great! Very happy! A victory!”

The Mavericks were missing Kyrie Irving, who scored 30 points in a 106-94 win at the Utah Jazz on Saturday, because of a sore shoulder. Dallas was also without Klay Thompson (left foot), Dereck Lively II (right knee) and Naji Marshall (due to illness).

But Doncic delivered, and regardless of his injuries, he was thrilled with the team’s performance over the last two weeks.

“Obviously I think their pace was great. They played fantastic,” Doncic said when asked how he thought the team played in his absence. “So I just tried to adapt to it. They beat some tough teams and I was just happy to sit back, watch and enjoy.”

Doncic finished the first half in Portland with two 3-pointers and a 17-foot jump shot to give the Mavericks a 61-58 lead.

Anfernee Simons had 27 points, including 24 in the third quarter, for the Blazers. And although Dallas led 112-101 after Spencer Dinwiddie’s 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, Portland tied it at 127 on Deni Avdija’s three-point play with 1:54 left.

PJ Washington answered with a 3-pointer from the baseline for Dallas, and the Blazers couldn’t catch up.

Portland led by as many as 10 points in the first quarter, but the Mavericks closed the gap with a 61-58 lead at halftime. Quentin Grimes’ dunk gave Dallas a 79-67 lead in the third period, and the Mavs had a 100-97 lead heading into the final period.

In the win, Dallas center Daniel Gafford was accidentally hit in the face in the first quarter and was treated to the floor before going to the locker room, but he came back.

Meanwhile, Portland’s Scoot Henderson was unavailable for the third straight game because of a left quadriceps bruise.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.