This archive report was first published on 24 August 2020.
Luka Doncic's Heroics Lift Dallas Mavericks Over Los Angeles Clippers ¶
On August 24, 2020, Luka Doncic made history by 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 in Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round playoff series.
Doncic, 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."
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics became the first team to reach the second round with a 110-106 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Kemba Walker scored 32 points and Jayson Tatum added 28 and 15 rebounds for the Celtics, who swept the Eastern Conference first-round series 4-0.
The Celtics will face the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors, who moved onto the next round after sweeping the Brooklyn Nets.
Reserve Norman Powell scored a career playoff high 29 points and the Raptors won their series with a dominating 150-122 victory in Orlando.
