After establishing himself as a solid depth piece for the Dallas Mavericks, Jalen Brunson became one of their key players. He increased his productivity as a starter alongside Luka Doncic and helped the Mavs win 52 games, their most since the 2010-11 season, and clinch homecourt advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
In 31.9 minutes per game across 79 games (61 of which were starts) this season, Brunson averaged 16.3 points, 4.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 50.2 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from 3-point land. He became a crucial piece for Dallas and his skills will be even more valuable if Doncic misses significant time in the playoffs.
Even with his increased role on the Mavs, Brunson doesn't want to be done improving. He told Deyscha Smith of SLAM Magazine that he is still looking to be better.
“I don’t think about [how] I’m averaging career-highs. I know people always say it, like, How’s it feel? I’m just trying to be me, I’m not trying to blow anything out of proportion. Obviously, what I’m doing is good stuff, but the best thing about it is I know I could be doing better. That’s the part that keeps me hungry.”
Dallas is facing the Utah Jazz in the first round. Doncic has a calf strain that is putting his availability for the beginning of the series in doubt. The Jazz enter the NBA playoffs with little momentum, they are good on both sides of the ball. It will be up to Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie to keep the Mavs afloat while Doncic recovers.
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