Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks hugs Tim Hardaway Jr. #11 after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 105-100 in Game Five of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 2, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/AFP
Slovenian prodigy Luka Doncic erupted for 42 points to help the Dallas Mavericks to a 105-100 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in their Western Conference first round playoff series.
It was the fifth straight road victory of a roller coaster series, and leaves the Mavericks 3-2 ahead with two games to play.
After Luka Doncic's 42 points and 14 assists tonight, look back at the only other 40+ point, 14+ assist game in #NBAPlayoffs history.. LeBron James' 43 and 14 on May 3, 2018 in Toronto! pic.twitter.com/V6AVF7ay0b
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) June 3, 2021
But despite his highlight performance of the night, Doncic felt like he still could’ve done better.
“I played terrible at the end but we got a win and that’s all that matters,” said Doncic, who wants Dallas to replicate their away form in game six in Texas.
“We’ve got to play like we play on the road,” he said.
‘Team win’
Tim Hardaway Jr was the only other player to crack double figures for Dallas with 20 points. He and Kristaps Porzingis rescued a tiring Doncic with consecutive 3-pointers inside the final three minutes.
The Clippers meanwhile were left ruing a costly late missed layup by Nicolas Batum with less than 10 seconds remaining which would have given them a 102-101 lead.
Instead, the Mavericks’ defense held firm to leave the Clippers needing to win their final two games to stay alive.