The ink is barely dry on the introduction to the 2020 NBA playoffs, but the chapters are already filling up with key takeaways...
Mavericks' Luka Doncic Calls Game-Winner vs. Clippers 'Something Special'
Aug 23, 2020
Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic, left, hits a winning three-point basket against Los Angeles Clippers' Reggie Jackson (1) during overtime of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)
Special is certainly a word for it.
"I can't explain the emotions I had," Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic said of his buzzer-beating three-pointer that gave his team a 135-133 overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers in Sunday's Game 4, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN. "Not only when the ball goes in but when I see the whole team running toward me. That was something special, one of the best feelings I ever had as a player. Just something special."
The series is now tied at two games apiece after Doncic capped a triple-double of 43 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists with the game-winner.
That the 21-year-old did it all while playing on a sprained ankle and without teammate Kristaps Porzingis made it all the more special.
So does the history of it.
MacMahon cited Elias Sports Bureau and noted Doncic is now the youngest player in NBA history to tally a 40-point triple-double in the playoffs. What's more, he joined the one and only Michael Jordan as the only player to finish a 40-point playoff performance with a make-it-or-lose buzzer-beater.
On the other side, the Clippers will likely need to unlock Paul George if they are going to survive this series and challenge for a championship.
The six-time All-Star continued his struggles in Sunday's game with nine points on 3-of-14 shooting from the field.
The critical Game 5 is Tuesday.
Mark Cuban: Luka Doncic 'Is Blazing His Own Path' After 43-Point Triple-Double
Aug 23, 2020
Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic celebrates after making a game-winning 3-point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during overtime of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Mavericks won 135-133 in overtime. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban offered high praise of Luka Doncic after the second-year star powered the Mavs to a 135-133 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers and leveled the first-round series in the 2020 NBA playoffs at two games apiece.
Doncic finished with 43 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists, and he hit a step-back three-pointer as time expired in overtime.
The reigning Rookie of the Year has taken his game to a new level in 2019-20, proving himself worthy of at least entering the MVP conversation.
Still, nobody could've reasonably expected Doncic to show out like this in the playoffs. His 42 points in Game 1 were the most ever for a player in his postseason debut.
No matter what happens to the Mavericks this offseason, they can rest easy knowing their championship window might be open for a decade or more with Doncic leading the way.
Clippers' Montrezl Harrell: 'Nothing but Respect' for Luka Doncic After Apology
Aug 23, 2020
Los Angeles Clippers' Montrezl Harrell, center, and Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) exchange words during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers big man Montrezl Harrell cleared the air and said he has "nothing but respect" for Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic after he made a controversial comment during Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.
Harrell tweeted out a video of his apology to Doncic prior to Sunday's Game 4, explaining the Mavericks guard "understood the heat of the battle and he said it didn't bother him."
If gone get the story get it right all I ask, no one spoke wit me to do anything I approach him and cleared the air from all the outside nonsense that was being said. Nothing but respect for Luka he understood the heat of the battle and he said it didn’t bother him only RESPECT https://t.co/MOKlkT3CAH
Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News noted Harrell called Doncic a "[expletive] ass white boy" in Game 3 after the two had to be separated earlier in the contest. They both picked up technical fouls after Doncic told Harrell to stop flopping, leading to the exchange.
As Caplan shared, the ABC broadcast revealed during Game 4 that Clippers head coach Doc Rivers spoke with Harrell about the comments.
"A lot of emotions on the court, especially in the playoffs," Doncic said, per Caplan. "Sometimes you say things you don't want to say. He apologized. I respect that, so no problems."
It's hard not to respect Doncic for what he is doing on the court at this point. He played through a sprained ankle in Sunday's contest and carried the Mavericks to a thrilling 135-133 overtime win with a buzzer-beater three-pointer.
He dropped a triple-double of 43 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists while carrying the team with Kristaps Porzingis sidelined with a knee injury.
The Clippers are on the short list of realistic championship contenders but find themselves tied at two games apiece in the first round thanks largely to Doncic's individual brilliance. It was his second straight triple-double, as not even L.A.'s dominant defenders have been able to contain him in this series.
Harrell had two points and one rebound off the bench in defeat for the Clippers.
Luka Doncic Hits Game-Winner, Drops 43-Point Triple-Double as Mavs Top Clippers
Aug 23, 2020
Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic, left, drives toward the basket as Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard defends during the second half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Take a bow, Luka Doncic.
The second-year star drilled a buzzer-beating three-pointer while playing on a sprained ankle to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 135-133 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Sunday's Game 4 at Walt Disney World Resort. The series is tied at two games apiece.
Ankle sprain and all, Doncic was brilliant throughout and notched a second straight triple-double while helping lead his team back from a 21-point deficit even without the injured Kristaps Porzingis.
As for the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard and Lou Williams led the way for a side with championship aspirations that finds itself in a tight opening-round battle with Paul George struggling.
The Mavs found themselves behindby 21 points in the first half against a deeper team while playing without their best big man and with Doncic at less than 100 percent.
It would have been easy to fold and go through the motions while looking ahead to Game 5, but Luka had other ideas. He busted out a head-turning Euro-step to score over George in the lane, dropped floaters in traffic and demonstrated patience while attacking the defense, all while playing solid defense and battling on the boards on the other end.
He also willingly dished out assists whenever the Clippers collapsed on his penetration, picked George's pocket and even forced L.A. into a zone as he took over the game in the third quarter.
Luka, on top of everything else, has been extremely good defensively
It was a brilliant performance against a team with multiple elite defenders and another reminder the 21-year-old is set to dominate the league for seasons to come.
It was far from a solo effort as Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. provided key secondary scoring and additional ball-handlers, while Boban Marjanovic helped Doncic run the pick-and-roll during an extended Dallas run in the second half.
Seth Curry also got in on the action as a key bench piece who could run the offense with Doncic on the sidelines.
Still, the story from Dallas' side was Doncic's continued emergence as an unstoppable force even before he made a three-pointer at the buzzer that could become legendary if his team wins two of the next three games.
Lou Williams, Kawhi Leonard Can't Bail Out Paul George
Without Patrick Beverley, there was even more pressure for George to play well if the Clippers were going to seize control of the series.
He has done anything but play well in this series, shooting 29.3 percent from the field and 23.0 percent from three-point range through the first three games andrespondingto critics on social media.
George looks nothing like a six-time All-Star going for his first championship and has instead put even more pressure on Leonard to carry the Clippers past a challenging Dallas team. It was more of the same Sunday, as the so-called Playoff P shot 2-of-8 in the first half and didn't rediscover his touch in the second half on the way to a 3-of-14 shooting performance.
Williams did what he could as a spark off the bench like he so often does and was L.A.'s best player for much of the game.
Leonard also stuffed the stat sheet even though he missed a potential game-winner at the end of regulation, but it is supposed to be a one-two punch of All-Stars leading the Clippers to a championship. Williams was impressive, but the Clippers' ceiling is much lower if George continues to struggle.
The questions around him will be even louder after yet another poor performance on the playoff stage.
What's Next?
Game 5 of the series is Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET.
Luka Doncic to Play for Mavericks vs. Clippers in Game 4 Despite Ankle Injury
Aug 23, 2020
Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic runs on the court before Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Dallas Mavericks All-Star guard Luka Doncic will play in Game 4 of the Mavs' first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Doncic rolled his ankle during the third quarter of Dallas' Game 3 loss to the Clippers on Friday, and his status for Game 4 had been uncertain.
Even though Doncic returned in the fourth quarter of Game 3, he was moving around gingerly and had to be taken out for good. The 21-year-old was diagnosed with a sprained ankle.
Head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters Doncic would "most likely" be a game-time decision for Game 4.
Doncic had a combined 70 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and dished out 16 assists in the first two games against the Clippers. Dallas earned a 127-114 win in Game 2, but it trails the series 2-1.
Despite only playing three minutes in the fourth quarter of Game 3, Doncic still finished with a triple-double (13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists).
During the regular season, Doncic put up MVP-caliber numbers by averaging 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game.
Along with big man Kristaps Porzingis, Doncic makes the Mavs go, and having him in the lineup for Game 4 should provide the team with a massive boost even if he isn't 100 percent.
Mavs' Luka Doncic Game-Time Decision for Game 4 vs. Clippers with Ankle Injury
Aug 22, 2020
Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) grabs his left leg after being injured during the second half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game against the Los Angeles Clippers Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Doncic suffered a sprained ankle during Friday's Game 3 and did not return as the Mavericks suffered a 130-122 loss. The Clippers are up 2-1 in the series ahead of Game 4, which is scheduled for Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Head coach Rick Carlisle previously noted the quick turnaround could prevent Doncic from playing in the next contest, per MacMahon.
Doncic was at least encouraged about his health after the latest loss.
"It's not that bad," hetold reportersFriday. "Honestly, I had luck that it was my left ankle. It's not my right."
The guard had sprained his right ankle during the regular season, which had kept him off the court for several weeks.
Dallas will hope he can return much sooner, considering the impact Doncic makes.
The 21-year-old has already become one of the most dangerous weapons in the NBA, finishing the season averaging 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game. He was a star during the seeding games and has kept it up in the playoffs, scoring 42 in his postseason debut in Game 1. He had a triple-double in Game 3 despite being limited to 29 minutes.
It could be a tough challenge for Dallas to compete with the No. 2-seeded Clippers if Doncic is forced to miss time. Kristaps Porzingis has proved he can take a bigger scoring load (34 points in Game 3), while Tim Hardaway Jr. and Seth Curry can pick up the slack in the backcourt, but no one else is as effective running the offense.
Trey Burke could see a bigger role Sunday if Doncic does not play.
Kawhi Leonard Can Carry the Clippers, Regardless of What 'Playoff P' Brings
Aug 22, 2020
Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard (2) scores ahead of Dallas Mavericks' Maxi Kleber (42) during the second half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Clippers won 130-122. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
For the seventh time in 14 playoff games since giving himself that moniker, Paul George shot worse than 40 percent from the field. Friday, he was 3-of-16 on the way to 11 points.
But L.A. still controlled most of the last three quarters of Game 3. Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell had some moments off the bench. Marcus Morris played stellar defense on Luka Doncic before the latter left with a sprained left ankle. Landry Shamet made the most of his insertion into the starting lineup with 18 points.
But the clearest reason the Clippers went up 2-1 in this first-round series was the same player who quietly controlled the entirety of the 2019 postseason: Kawhi Leonard.
Regardless of what's happening with either team, Kawhi always seems steady. Almost detached, like his robotic alter ego.
PG can't find the rim? Luka's hurt? Kristaps Porzingis(34 points and 13 rebounds)is going off?
Nothing distracts Kawhi.
On Friday, with Shamet starting in place of Reggie Jackson, Leonard essentially played the 1 for the Clippers. And it couldn't have gone much better.
His 36 points were the seventh-most he's ever scored in a playoff game. Even more notable, the eight assists he tallied were the second-most he's ever had in the postseason.
This was a clinic from Kawhi. Regardless of who was on him—Maxi Kleber, Dorian Finney-Smith, you name it—he calmly ran the offense and scored in isolation. That led to a feeling of security for the Clippers, even in the midst of mini-runs from the Mavs and miss after miss from PG.
To reach its peak, L.A. almost certainly needs George to more consistently play like the guy who finished third in MVP voting last season. But Friday was a vivid example of how handy a two-time Finals MVP and some depth is.
The trade for Morris didn't look like a home run in the regular season, but he's given the Clippers exactly what they need in the playoffs.
Beyond the physical defense he played on Doncic, which was largely responsible for the young All-Star's 4-of-14 shooting performance, Morris went 4-of-5 from three and grabbed eight rebounds.
Playing him with Leonard and George gives L.A. one of the league's most formidable (and switchable) forward trios in the NBA.
Then, the off-the-bench chemistry between LouWill and Harrell is a dynamic change of pace from that group.
After missing all of the team's seeding games, Harrell struggled to find his old form in the first two games of this series. He was back to being a ball of energy Friday, scoring 13 points on just five field-goal attempts in 18 minutes. Williams added 10, including a momentum-squashing three in the second half.
As for the move to replace Jackson (who was replacing the injured Patrick Beverley) with Shamet, that now looks borderline inspired.
With Kawhi at the controls, having a "we at least have to pay attention to him" floor-spacer keeps the middle of the floor more open for isos.
And finally, there's George. Despite shooting 18.8 percent from the field, he still found a way to positively impact the game. His defense was at its typically stingy level. And he handed out seven assists.
Put this all together—and we didn't even mention Ivica Zubac's 15 points—and it isn't hard to see why the Clips now have the highest chance to win the title, according to FiveThirtyEight's projection system.
They have the size, athleticism and varying types of talent necessary to counter seemingly any opponent.
This round, the advantage is the number of switchy forwards they can throw at Luka, who may now be limited by the ankle injury.
After the game, he said, "It's not that bad," but he was clearly moving gingerly in a brief return to the floor in the fourth quarter. Without Doncic, Dallas almost certainly can't match L.A.'s versatility.
And if the Clippers do advance, they can easily adjust in ways that'll trouble the Utah Jazz or Denver Nuggets. Morris can play small-ball 5 and bring Rudy Gobert out of the paint. Forcing Nikola Jokic to defend relentless Harrell pick-and-rolls is a recipe for success.
Against the Los Angeles Lakers, a potential Western Conference Finals foe, the Clippers once again have plenty of options to throw at a dynamic point forward (in this case, LeBron James).
The thread running through every adjustment, though, is Kawhi. Regardless of how L.A. wants to play, he'll be the focal point. And few are better, especially in the playoffs.
There will probably be games when Playoff P looks more like what George imagined when he first referred to himself as that.
"It's gonna turnaround for him, and we've got his back," Leonard said of PG's off night.
Even if it doesn't, the Clippers are far from doomed.
Kawhi Leonard's 36 Lead Clippers Past Mavs in Game 3 After Luka Doncic's Injury
Aug 22, 2020
Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard (2) drives against Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
The Los Angeles Clippers have retaken the series lead on the Dallas Mavericks, earning a 130-122 Game 3 victory to go up 2-1 in the first-round series.
After Dallas came back to take Game 2, LA squashed any momentum the Mavs gained by pushing them around in what's officially their first "home" contest of the opening round.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George combined for 47 points in the win, with Leonard pouring in 36.
Notable Performers
Kawhi Leonard, SF, Los Angeles Clippers: 36 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Paul George, SG, Los Angeles Clippers: 11 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals
Even after a Clippers win, the biggest story on Friday night was the status of Mavs guard Luka Doncic.
The emerging superstar was guarding a drive by Kawhi Leonard when he landed awkwardly on his left ankle late in the second half, sending him straight to the ground and hopping back the locker room moments later. Doncic tried to play through the injury after a short visit with trainers, but he was in visible pain moving around the floor and was declared out for the game only minutes after returning.
A frustrated Doncic went and plopped down on the bench with his team down by double digits and his night over with.
Doncic is frustrated after trying to fight through a left ankle sprain. Prayers up 🙏
Game 3 had been physical from the start, yet this seemed more like an accident and less like the result of aggression getting the best of either club.
With less than five minutes to play in the first quarter, both Doncic and the Clippers' Montrezl Harrell were handed technical fouls following some jawing after the whistle. Considering the referees ejected Kristaps Porzingis during Game 1 and saw 103 fouls called over the first two games combined, it'd make sense to see officials trying to get an early handle on any potential scuffles that could force a key player off the court.
The reality was much worse. Without Doncic in the lineup, the Mavericks lose their biggest playmaker and the key to their offense. Including the playoffs, Dallas has gone 1-5against Los Angeles this season.
The Mavs' challenge increases infinitely if their 21-year-old franchise player is unable to go in Game 4.
Paul George is officially in a slump and it might be time for the Clippers to worry.
Granted, it's easier to correct these issues coming off a Game 3 victory that gave L.A. a series lead, but that doesn't make the wing's inability to score lately any less concerning.
This was supposed to be the year Kawhi Leonard could share the load after helping carry the Toronto Raptors to a title last season. Instead, things are looking as challenging as they were in 2019.
George scored 27 points on 22 shots in Game 1, 14 points on 17 shots in Game 2 and Game 3 saw his most dismal performance yet with 11 points. For the series, George has made just 17 of 55field goals including 7-of-29 fromthree-point range.
It's impossible not to call out this type of showing in the playoffs and it only took until halftime of Game 3 before NBA on TNT's Charles Barkley decided to criticize George.
“He can’t keep getting no pass," Barkley said. "He’s supposed to be a star. When you’re a star you have to do your thing. Paul has got to play better, plain and simple.”
Heading into Game 3, George hadn't averaged fewer than 20 points per game in the playoffs since the 2013 postseason when he guided the Indiana Pacers to the first of back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals.
So far in 2020, George is averaging 17.3 points per game.
The stakes are higher than they were in George's Pacer days. He's no longer the underdog. He's expected to thrive. That hasn't been the case lately, and Barkley made sure to let him know.
"You can’t call yourself 'Playoff P' and lose all the time," Barkley said.
What's Next
Game 4 between the Mavericks and Clippers is scheduled for Sunday, August 23, at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Mavs' Luka Doncic Exits Game 3 vs. Clippers After Suffering Ankle Injury
Aug 21, 2020
Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) makes his way down the court during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
But after re-entering at the start of the fourth quarter and serving mainly as an off-ball distributor, Doncic checked himself out of the game and returned to the locker room for further evaluation.
Doncic is frustrated after trying to fight through a left ankle sprain. Prayers up 🙏
"Unsure of the exact severity of Luka's left ankle," head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters after the Mavs' loss. "We'll know more tomorrow. He did come back and try it obviously and wasn't moving great, so we'll see where he is come tomorrow and then Sunday morning."
Doncic downplayed the injury during his postgame meeting with reporters.
"It's not that bad," he said. "Honestly, I had luck that it was my left ankle. It's not my right."
According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, "pre-MRI indications are it's a mild sprain."
After winning the Rookie of the Year in 2019, the 21-year-old has raised his game to another level in his second season. He averaged 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists, earning his first trip to the All-Star Game.
Injuries have been a minor nuisance for Doncic, though. He battled a right ankle sprain in February and then a left thumb sprain to open March.
Although Dallas ranked first in offensive rating (115.9), per NBA.com, its somewhat porous defense will likely prevented the team from challenging the elite of the Western Conference. The Mavs are down to 18th in defensive rating (111.2).
Doncic isn't blameless for that vast disparity. As great at he is on offense, his defense remains a work in progress.
Still, nobody questions his overall value. Any hope the Mavericks have of springing an upset in the playoffs will rest firmly on Doncic's shoulders.
