Luka Doncic torched the LA Clippers again in Game 5, and NBA Twitter was left in awe.
Luka Doncic has only played in 11 career playoff games, but he’s already made a reputation for himself as an absolute assassin — especially against these LA Clippers, the only team he’s faced through his two postseasons thus far.
Through the first four games of the series, Doncic had averaged a whopping 33.3 points, 8.3 assists and 8.0 rebounds a night while shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from 3-point range. His Dallas Mavericks were tied 2-2 with the mighty Clippers, a team with title aspirations, with neither team being able to win a single game at home.
Because Doncic was dealing with a neck injury, it was unknown how effective he’d be in a pivotal Game 5 at the Staples Center, especially after being held to 19 points in Game 4. Thankfully for Mavs fans, he was more than up for the challenge, torching the Clippers yet again and powering his team to a 14-point lead heading into the final frame.
The reason for that double-digit advantage? Doncic had a whopping 40 points through the first three quarters. As you would expect, NBA Twitter was in absolute awe of what the 22-year-old was doing to one of the league’s best teams.
NBA Twitter couldn’t believe what Luka Doncic was doing
The highlights of course, could be found far and wide for those who wanted to relive what Doncic was doing to the Clippers’ defense.
The alley-oop he so easily finished from Tim Hardaway Jr. was simply unreal, even with repeat viewings:
The reactions all seemed to be general adoration for the young superstar, who was balling out once again in just his second NBA Playoff series.
There was also some concern about the severe lack of help the Mavericks were giving their franchise star:
All in all, though, it was hard not to revel at what Doncic has done so early in his playoff career:
The Clippers made a run in the fourth quarter to put the pressure back on Dallas, pulling within one point in the final minute and even getting a good look at the basket that would’ve given them the lead. But the shot rimmed out and the Mavs were able to close it out from the free-throw line.
Doncic finished his night with 42 points, 14 assists and 8 rebounds while shooting 17-for-37 from the field, including 6-for-12 from 3-point range. The series now shifts back to Dallas for an elimination Game 6, where the Mavs will try to be the first team in this series to win a home game.