The American Airlines Center is familiar with the superhuman talents of Luka Doncic. However, since the postseason, they have also been informed of his immense pain threshold. Tonight, in a loss to the Rockets, the Slovenian took a hard fall. The silence in the arena grew when their talisman didn’t get up for an extended time, moving his left elbow, which took the entire impact of his fall. The hooper managed to bravely walk to the free throw line and even continue the game.

But just how much damage was done on that play?

Only four days ago, when battling the Suns, Luka Doncic was required to wear a shooting sleeve on his left arm because of feeling some discomfort. But when he fell today, it felt different. The Slovenian recalls his fingers feeling “tingly” during the post-game conference. There was no taping or treatment done to the arm, a relief for Mavericks fans.

Still, the 25-year-old kept looking back at his elbow. He had a “big bruise” to show for his fall that may have limited his abilities in the Dallas’ upsetting loss against the Rockets. As far as the implications of the injury go, it’s nothing that Luka Doncic can’t wade through.

“It’s fine. No worries,” he still assured the reporter and the community.

Even though the fall did seem painful, Luka Doncic has never let minor injuries force him to sit out. During the NBA Finals, the hooper would warm up with bandages all over his body, and he has previously played with his knees visibly bleeding, and more. If there’s a need to push through, Doncic will. And with a new-looking team to run with, it might be paramount for him to do so.

A ‘revamped’ version of Luka Doncic is on display

Over a 5 game stretch, with the Mavericks winning 60% of their games, a timid version of Luka Doncic seems to be on display. It isn’t because of regression by any means. After the loss, the 5-time All-Star reflected on his slow beginning to the campaign. “I didn’t have a preseason, so I’m just trying to get back into my rhythm,” he openly admitted.

Even an out-of-rhythm Luka Doncic is averaging 27.3 points in this span of him trying to jump back up to his jaw-dropping standards. That has led to him averaging over 30+ points in the last two years. Furthermore, the hangover of injuries must still be felt.

Luka Doncic had a myriad of injuries last season. Suffering from a thoracic contusion, knee sprain, and ankle soreness, the 25-year-old still averaged  28.9 points and 8.1 assists in his longest postseason. He then carried those wounds to international basketball during the Olympic qualifiers.

Another reason comes with adjusting. As Luka Doncic explained, he didn’t have the opportunity to play in preseason games while managing prior injuries. With an addition like Klay Thompson, game adjustments become critical. In 5 games, the Slovenian has still done a spectacular job in incorporating the former Warrior, who’s averaging the 2nd-most three-point attempts for his career so far.

Doncic’s intentional effort to do so has contributed greatly toward it. Furthermore, the perennial MVP candidate is ensuring the Splash Bro gets clean looks rather than just the move on the ball. When his focus does go to facilitating the play and pumping the engine, Luka can rack up assists. However, when scoring in discomfort as today comes to the front, those numbers drop.

Currently, his 6 assists are on pace to be a career-low for Luka Doncic.

But around this time, the Mavs are only getting their feet wet. Doncic ain’t going to continue shooting an appalling 38.7% from the field for the entire season. The crucial aspect of it all is to keep acclimating himself to the reformed team and in the back-drop find his tempo once again.

In today’s NBA, Luka Doncic is one of those few players who doesn’t elicit concerns because of his stunning body of work and inhuman skills on display. With him, it’s only a matter of time before Luka Magic plays his tricks again. Thoughts?