No Luka? No problem.

Joking but seriously, even without Luka, the Mavericks wauked into Milwaukee and took down Giannis and the Bucks, ending their 18-game winning streak, 120-116.

That’s right. No Luka and the Mavericks still beat the 24-3 Bucks.

Though, the Bucks did make it interesting late, and I mean very interesting, after Dallas held around a 10-point lead for most of the of game, Milwaukee cut the lead to within three after Dallas couldn’t put the game away from the free throw line. But, a huge block from KP and just enough made free throws sealed the game.

Honestly, one of the weirdest Mavs games this season. Going into tonight’s game against the team with the best record in the league along with the reigning MVP, you try to remain optimistic. That optimism continued to grow throughout the game as Dallas led most of the way, but boy did they almost choke that one away Reggie Miller mocking Spike Lee style.

But, they won. And this was the epitome of a team win. These guys played their asses off for each other from the jump, mirroring their effort from the second half against the Heat on Saturday.

Without Luka, Kristaps Porzingis and Seth Curry stepped up to the plate and hit home runs all night long. KP finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 4/8 from deep. Curry added his own 26 points along with five rebounds and four assists while also making four of his eight attempts from deep.

KP FROM WAYYYY DOWNTOWN! TWICE!@kporzee | #MFFL

GET TO A TV. TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR FAMILY. TELL YOUR RIVALS TOO. TELL THE NEIGHBORHOOD: https://t.co/nGNUM51SQM pic.twitter.com/2fHnD5UBKV

— x – Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) December 17, 2019

It was evident that KP had to step up tonight without Luka running the show, and he did just that. Two monstrous dunks in the first half followed by him getting hot from deep, and I mean deep, in the fourth, capped off the night well for Porzingis and can surely be seen as a confidence booster going forward.

Seth’s confidence has looked to be on the incline the past couple of games as he has looked for his shot more, going back to his 30-point performance in Mexico City against the Pistons. A confident, aggressive Curry hitting from deep is just what the Mavericks need off the bench for a playoff run.

Jalen Brunson filled in for Luka doing all he could, finishing with 13 points and 11 assists. Doe-Doe chipped in 15 points and eight rebounds as he took the brute of Giannis’ punishment tonight, scoring 48 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.

But, it’s Giannis. He can do that to anyone. And the Maverick defense did a great job at slowing down the Bucks’ other starters, combining for just 25 points, including only nine from All-Star Khris Middleton.

Even Luka was having fun watching from home, tweeting his support for his teammates throughout the game.

KP🔥🔥🔥🤷🏼‍♂️

— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) December 17, 2019

Great W !! 💪💪🤷🏼‍♂️😂

— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) December 17, 2019

Now, you can’t ask this team without Luka to go out and win every game, especially consistently against teams of the Bucks caliber. But, when they believe and fight for each other like they did tonight, they certainly have the opportunity to “steal” games from playoff teams on this Eastern Conference run with Luka on the shelf.

The Mavericks head back home for a meeting with the Celtics on Wednesday on ESPN.