Dropping a game to the Chicago Bulls isn't ideal, but it happens.

In the 117-101 loss, what stood out was the lack of player availability for Dallas. Six players didn't play on Sunday: Josh Richardson, Jalen Brunson, Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Tim Hardaway Jr. With half of the Mavs rotation gone, and Kristaps Porzingis still getting his legs under him, the circumstances were too much to overcome for Luka Doncic and the rest of the team.

That's why Mavs fans shouldn't panic with the season's two losses to Chicago. The team isn't even near to full strength.

Doncic's historical night:

Luka finished the night with 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists. It marked the fourth triple-double of the season. And it also marked Doncic's 28th career triple-double, passing all-time great Michael Jordon on the career triple-double list.

Any time a player passes Jordon on any list, it's a monumental occasion. Doncic's big night came out of necessity. The Mavs needed every part of his 36, 16, and 15 in order to compete in the game, and still, the team came up just short of victory.

One thing that is concerning is the extremely heavy load Dallas is asking its young superstar to carry. He totaled 37 minutes against the Bulls, and on the year Doncic is boasting a staggering 37.6 usage rate. The highest mark in his three-year career. In the previous two seasons, Doncic struggled to close out the year. And it's concerning that the Mavs are asking for Luka to sprint through the marathon of an NBA season.

Regardless, he has still played sensationally. Just look at this pass from Sunday's game:

Porzingis continues to struggle:

20 points on 19 shots. Porzingis struggled for long stretches during the game, specifically from behind the arc. He ended the night going 0-7 from three.

The 7-footer is still trying to find his regular-season legs after a summer spent rehabbing his playoff knee injury. He hasn't looked comfortable, but he still hasn't played a bunch of basketball this season.

Time spent on the floor is the biggest issue for Porzingis this season. And if his injury issues are behind him, he will eventually find his comfort on the floor.

Thoughts going forward:

Dallas' record sits now at 6-6, and the team is now the seventh seed in the west. It's still so early for anyone to panic over losses to the Chicago Bulls. The team hasn't been at full strength all season.

There is another variation of this Mavs team that we have yet to see. It is still operating without an anchor on defense. Luka has had the ball in his hands more than ever. And Porzingis still isn't at 100 percent. The team is going to get better. This ball club is far better than just .500 basketball. But for now, I find that the famous words of Nipsey Hussle fit this Dallas team, with its injuries and Covid-19 difficulties accordingly, "The marathon continues."

Feature image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports