Dallas Mavericks rookie sensation Luka Doncic has been so good that he is now not only the front-runner to bag Rookie of the Year honors at the end of the season. For some, including Mavs teammate Dirk Nowitzki, Doncic has a legitimate chance of making it to this year's All-Star Game in February.

According to Nowitzki, Doncic has been huge for the Mavs so far this season, but also acknowledged how difficult it will be for the 19-year-old to overtake some of the biggest names in the Western Conference for an All-Star spot:

“He’s a major part of why we’re almost .500 in the West, but it’s going to be tough,” Nowitzki said, per Dwain Price of NBA.com. “We already know there are some amazing, amazing players in the West – it’s going to be tough for him to get in.”

Dirk went on to say, however, that in his mind, Doncic's outstanding play for the Mavs should, at the very least, put him in the conversation of being part of the All-Star team:

Article Continues Below
More Dallas Mavericks News
Tyrese Haliburton, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Exclusive: The surprise superstar AAU ballers picked as NBA’s Face of the LeagueChris Dodson ·
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the New York Knicks at the American Airlines Center.
NBA rumors: Why Tim MacMahon ‘won’t dismiss’ Jason Kidd leaving Mavericks for KnicksJason Patt ·
Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Smith Jr. (8) looks to pass as he is defended by Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green (8) during the first half at the Spectrum Center.
Dallas Mavericks’ 10 worst NBA Draft day mistakes in historySpencer See ·
Mavericks Jason Kidd on left. New York Knicks 2025 logo on right. Question marks all over image.
How Mavericks, Knicks could discuss Jason Kidd trade after Tom Thibodeau firingJoey Mistretta ·
image thumbnail
NBA rumors: Lakers’ Austin Reaves trade strategy as 2 center targets emergeErik Slater ·
NBA commissioner is Adam Silver presents Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (not pictured) with the Michael Jordan Trophy for winning the most valuable player award for the 2024-25 season before game two of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Adam Silver sets record straight on Mavericks landing No. 1 pickBenedetto Vitale ·

“But he has a case. He’s been playing well, he’s been running the show, he’s been really clutch for us in big games, so he deserves a shot or at least to be mentioned.”

It's very difficult to argue with Nowitzki's comments here, with Doncic currently averaging 19.5 points on 43.6 percent shooting, 2.4 3-pointers on 37.6 percent shooting, 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.1 steals in his first 36 appearances for the Mavs.

Given the myriad talent in the NBA, it would not be surprising if Luka Doncic ends up missing out on the All-Star nod this season. However, there is no doubt that he will eventually make the breakthrough sooner rather than later.