Carlisle: Luka has 'chance to be one of the best ever'

Luka Doncic had a huge night Wednesday with 34 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, and four blocks in a road win over the Charlotte Hornets.

Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said postgame that Doncic's performance went beyond the numbers.

"The stat line was spectacular too, but he played even better than that," Carlisle told reporters.

At just 21 years old, Doncic continues to earn high praise.

"He's got a chance to be one of the best ever," Carlisle added, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "It's not just about his skills and the stats he can put up. It's about poise and leadership."

Doncic has shown a marked defensive improvement this season, which is one of the main reasons the Mavs are allowing the fewest points per 100 possessions in the NBA.

"He's one of our best defenders at the end of the game," Carlisle said. "He's really worked at it along with every other part of his game."

Kristaps Porzingis made his season debut Wednesday, finishing with 16 points on 4-of-9 3-point shooting.

Carlisle said Porzingis' presence helped, given the COVID-19-related absences of Josh Richardson, Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Jalen Brunson.

"It was great to have KP back out there," Carlisle said. "I thought he played exceptionally well given the circumstances."