Luka Doncic carried the Dallas Mavericks to a huge win against the LA Clippers to give them a 3-2 lead in the first round of the NBA play-offs.
The 25-year-old put up 35 points and 10 assists as the Mavs walked away from LA with a 123-93 victory.
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It was a great night for the number five seed in the Western Conference, who are now heavy favourites to advance.
Paul George, James Harden and Russell Westbrook could only record 28 points between them and they gave up eight turnovers in the match.
The Clippers all-stars needed a big night in the absence of Kawhi Leonard but it was a flat performance all round.
On the other hand, Doncic looked fired up despite having suffered with a cold for most of the week alongside a sprained knee.
Luka Doncic’s hot hand powers the @dallasmavs to a 3-2 series lead! Game 6 is Friday at 9:30pm/et on ESPN.
Maxi Kleber: 15 PTS, 5 3PM
Kyrie Irving: 14 PTS, 6 AST
Paul George: 15 PTS, 11 REB pic.twitter.com/80ZBOJGgbA— NBA (@NBA) May 2, 2024
Before the match, he admitted he would not have played if it were a regular season match and he could be seen with ice on the injury during the fourth quarter, once the Mavs were comfortably in the driving seat.
The third quarter was where the match was lost for the Clippers, who finished with a 30-point deficit for the first time in their play-off history.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue admitted after the match that an incredible Doncic performance at some point was inevitable but insists his side are not beaten yet.
He said: “We knew at some point Luka was going to have a Luka game.
“We’re not going to hang our heads. We got to win four games. We go to Dallas, Game 6 on Friday and we’ll be ready to go.”
Dallas now the chance to close the series out on their home court but should the Clippers win, the deciding bout will take place back in LA.
