After Sunday’s game-winning three-pointer, Luka Doncic is the only one on people’s minds. He led the Dallas Mavericks to a 135-133 in overtime against the Los Angeles Clippers. If it wasn’t for him, the Mavericks would not have stood a chance in Game 4 of the playoff series. The proud coach, Rick Carlisle couldn’t stop praising his fellow mentee.
With this, the Mavericks and Clippers are tied at 2-2. Filled with injuries and comebacks, this matchup keeps getting more and more intriguing. The fifth game is set to be played on Tuesday with the utmost certainty of a sixth as well.
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Mavericks Coach hails praise on Luka Doncic
Luka’s performance is special for many reasons. The biggest one being that despite all the possible barriers that stood between the team and their win, he stepped up to the occasion like no other.
First of all, playing against the best wing defenders, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George is pressurizing enough. Secondly, Luka had rolled his left ankle during the third quarter of Game 4. He was listed as questionable for this game but played like there was no injury at all. On top of all of this chaos, Kristaps Porzingis was ruled out for the game and it looked like the Mavericks were done for.
Luka’s buzzer-beater has put the 21-year old in the spotlight. However, Coach Rick knows the reality behind the performance and all the medical attention and precautions that went on behind his decision to play for his team. In the post-game conference, he told ESPN, “If it was you out there at the health club getting beat up like that, I doubt you’d even stay on the floor. This guy’s tougher than you are.”
Mavericks’ Rick Carlisle on the pounding Luka Doncic takes to @espn_macmahon: “If it was you out there at the health club getting beat up like that, I doubt you’d even stay on the floor. This guy’s tougher than you are.” pic.twitter.com/MlzjcnciIy
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) August 23, 2020
It seems like there is no middle ground for Luka. He either plays his best or doesn’t play at all. He became one of the three players in NBA to have at least 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a playoff game.
Do the Mavericks really stand a chance against Clippers?
We can all expect Doncic to put up another performance for us in Game 5 of the series. With the way the games are proceeding, the Mavericks and Clippers are one of the favorite matchups to follow at the moment. They’re definitely holding a dagger at the Clippers’ throat and could come out victorious.
