The Dallas Mavericks aren't as hard-pressed as many thought the team would be without Luka Doncic.

Coming into the series, Dallas winning without its superstar felt nearly impossible. Instead, thanks to Jalen Brunson and the return of Maxi Kleber's jump shot, Dallas possesses a 2-1 series lead. The timing of Doncic's return isn't in question anymore. Now, it's an exercise of if he needs to return at all.

So, before practice on Friday, Jason Kidd provided his most colorful answer as to whether Doncic will even play come Game 4 on Saturday.

"Optimistic — that’s a good word," Kidd said. "He’s going in the right direction."

When asked about how his left calf feels, Doncic's answer was born out of Kidd's same optimistic perspective.

"There is no pain," Doncic said. "I feel good. I feel like I could play every game."

Both Kidd and Doncic are eager for the return. Doncic more so because what 23-year-old doesn't want to help their team win a playoff series — especially one that would be the first series win in over a decade.

Yet, through the optimism and excitement, one question stands alone as the elephant in the room.

Should Doncic even play? 

It's easy to fall into the trap of Doncic watching. And if that was you in recent weeks, no one can blame you. However, in your looks towards Doncic's return, you may have missed a team that has played just fine without him.

For example, Jalen Brunson — Doncic's trusted sidekick throughout the regular season — is averaging 32 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists through the first three games. His efficiency hasn't wavered either. He is shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 41 percent from three.

You can chalk up his 41-point game to his best Doncic impression — fine. But his Game 3 heroics were all original.

Brunson deserves continued looks

What is spectacular about Brunson's play is that Dallas isn't running anything special for him. Utah's guards appear accustomed to funneling everything to Rudy Gobert at the rim. Brunson is a guard who feasts on mid-range jump shots and looks around the basket. As a result, Utah's defense played right into Brunson's strengths — allowing him to go left and get to his spot at will.

The result of Utah's porous defensive game plan is Brunson joining a list of six other Mavericks players who have scored 30-plus points in back-to-back games.

That list minus Brunson: Dirk Nowitzki, Luka Doncic, Mark Aguirre, Monta Ellis, Nick Van Exel, and Rolando Blackman.

Do some of those names sound familiar?

Heading into Game 4, it's clear Utah is going to adjust. Odds are, those adjustments won't be effective. The Jazz spent an entire season allowing the guards on the roster to not play defense. Why would they start now?

And besides, Brunson's confidence is already elevated. Whatever changes Utah is bound to make won't thwart the Villanova product from blowing past Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell on his way to mid-range jump shot or layup.

So, this brings the conversation back to the original question of should Doncic play? The answer is no. Dallas doesn't need him — yet. With Utah on the ropes, let Brunson and Co. wrap things up. The Mavericks will need all of Doncic — not just 75 percent of him — in a possible round 2 matchup.

Until then, Dallas has to role with the guy that has got the team to this point thus far — Brunson.

"Everything feels good when we win," Brunson said after Thursday night's 126-118 win. "I love these guys, they've been warriors… My success comes from them."

Related Dallas Mavericks reading 

"Luka Doncic upgraded to questionable." 

Feature image via Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports.