Doncic nails epic game-winner to tie Mavericks-Clippers series

Luka Doncic was not about to let a sprained ankle slow him down, nailing a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Dallas Mavericks to a 135-133 overtime playoff win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, August 23 (Monday, August 24, Manila time).

The 21-year-old Slovenian phenom, who was playing with a tender ankle and missing his offensive sidekick Kristaps Porzingis, finished with 43 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists to level the first round NBA Western Conference playoff series at two games each.

“This game was from another planet,” said Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle of Doncic’s heroics.

Doncic made a basket with 50 seconds left to tie the score 130-130 then gave Dallas a two-point lead with a spinning move to the basket with 19 seconds remaining.

He capped his triple-double with a 27-foot step back jumper from the left side as time ticked down, sparking a wild celebration on the floor in the NBA’s quarantine bubble in Orlando, Florida.

“I can’t explain the emotions I had when I saw the ball go in,” Doncic said. “When I saw the whole team coming towards me that was one of the best feelings I have ever had as a player.”

Doncic, who is playing in his first NBA playoffs, carried the Mavericks Sunday without Porzingis, who was a late scratch because of a knee injury.

But the pre-game buzz was all about Doncic’s health, not Porzingis.

Doncic sprained his left ankle in the second half of Game 3 and had an MRI on Saturday to determine the extent of the damage.

“This morning I wasn’t feeling good but as soon as I stepped on the court I knew I could go,” said Doncic, who recorded his second straight triple-double.

Said Carlisle, “He sees the game in 6G, not 5G. He is a very special player.”

Trey Burke added 25 points, Tim Hardaway scored 21, and Seth Curry chipped in 15 points for Dallas, which led by 12 with 9 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter.

Lou Williams had 36 points and Kawhi Leonard finished with 32 points for the Clippers, who blew a 21-point first-half lead. – Rappler.com