Mavs’ Luka Doncic Game Winner Silenced Clippers’ Superfan First Time All-Season
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 23: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks hits a game winning three point basket against Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers during overtime in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 23, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
With 3.7 seconds left in overtime and the Dallas Mavericks down one, first-time All-Star Luka Doncic puts his defender Reggie Jackson in a binder and hits a patent stepback for the game-winner.
In the process, they tied the Mavericks first-round playoff series with the Los Angeles Clippers. Doncic would finish the game with 43 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists as the Mavericks beat the Clippers 135-133.
Also in the process, Doncic silenced Los Angeles Clippers Superfan Clipper Darrell for the first time all season.
Darrell posted a video of his reaction the moment the 2019 Rookie of the Year hit the game-winning shot. He could be seen rubbing his head before the ball was inbound, but after Doncic’s shot went in, there was dead silence. Darrell caption the video on Instagram, which read,
It Broke My Heart But I Still Believe in @YgTrece and This Team & Organization!!! as the @LAClippers Lose in Overtime on a Buzzer Beater to the @DallasMavs 135-133!!!
Speaking of Paul George, he hasn’t had a great first four games for the Clippers in this year’s playoffs. Entering Sunday’s game, he shot 29.3 percent from the field and 23 percent from behind the arc in his first three games of the series, according to Sporting News. After going 3-for-14 from the field and 1-for-7 from 3, the six-time All-Star only had nine points in the overtime thriller.
After the game, Clippers head coach Doc Rivers was asked by Voice of the Fans’ Cameron Buford about George’s continued struggle in the series from the field.
“Hey, listen, we have ran the same stuff all year, and Paul George has averaged 25 points,” said Rivers.
“So, it is not like they are going something defensively. We just have to play with great confidence. Paul like I still believe is going to be fine, he just has to be more aggressive, but aggressive in the right way. And I think it will work out for him. We do run plays for him, but we have to get him more involved. And that is really just running our stuff the way we should run it.”
After the game, ‘vert world‘ petitioned George to play overseas instead and has over 2600 signatures already.
During his post game media session, George shared that if he was making shots this series would be a lot different, but told the media give the Mavericks credit for playing well.
“If I make shots, this series could be a little different,” George said after the Clippers’ game four loss. “And that’s the obvious, of course. That’s what it just comes down to. But give them credit, they’re playing well, they’re defending, they’re shooting the ball, Luka is playing phenomenal — you gotta give credit where credit is due. But to be honest, in hindsight, if I shoot the ball better, this series would be a lot different.”
Game five of this best-of-seven series will be on Tuesday.
