LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Luka Doncic tried to get under Patrick Beverley’s skin. Even though it probably did not work, Doncic’s insult is as gif-able as they come.
The Dallas Mavericks took Game 1 against the Los Angeles Clippers, once again proving to be a thorn in Kawhi Leonard’s side as he tries to bring a championship to Los Angeles. Doncic had 31 points on 11-of-24 shooting, including 5-of-11 from behind the arc.
The efficient night from one of the best young scorers in the NBA is just a preview of what the Clippers have to look forward to the rest of the series. Yet, Doncic is far from just a jump shooter. He’s not afraid to challenge the entire city of Los Angeles in the paint if he must.
Gritty veteran defender Patrick Beverley tried to limit that production on Saturday, only to fail miserably and receive some epic trash talk from Doncic as a result.
Mavericks: Luka Doncic stands up to Patrick Beverley
Ironically enough, usually Pat Bev is the one doing the talking.
While it’s only one loss at the hands of the Mavs, Dallas is familiar competition to Los Angeles, and they’ve arguably gotten even better since pushing the Clippers to six games in the bubble.
Doncic and his sidekick Kristaps Porzingis combined for 45 points, while key contributors Tim Hardaway, Jr. and Dorian Finney-Smith poured in 39 of their own.
The Clippers have tried to limit Doncic in the past, and that appears to be a flawed approach. He’s going to get his, and it will likely come in humiliating fashion for whoever is defending him (sorry, Bev). The supporting cast is the key, and LA failed miserably at nipping it in the bud on Saturday.