Orlando -
Doubt until the last moment due to an ankle injury, Luka Doncic signed a record triple-double and an epic three-pointer in the final second for the Dallas Mavericks to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday and tie the playoff series 2-2.
In addition to the Slovenian, other young stars shone in this day at Disney World (Orlando), especially Donovan Mitchell (51 points) and Jamal Murray (50), who starred in a historic talent duel in the Utah Jazz's victory over the Denver Nuggets (3-1 in the series).
Doncic amazed the NBA by scoring 43 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists to give the Mavericks a 135-133 victory with one of his characteristic long-distance three-pointers in the last breath of overtime.
✨ @luka7doncic in the clutch over his first two NBA seasons! #MFFL pic.twitter.com/8FJJj0jRoN
— NBA (@NBA) August 24, 2020
Luka Doncic's historic day gives him the top spot on Sunday's fantasy leaderboard.
He is the youngest player in #NBAPlayoffs history to register a 40-point triple-double! ✨ pic.twitter.com/HpKkHY5B6d
— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) August 24, 2020
The young guard overcame the strong sprain of his left ankle that he suffered on Friday in the third game of this first round against the Clippers, one of the top favorites for the title, and the last-minute absence of Kristaps Porzingis due to knee pain.
Doncic's three-pointer unleashed a torrent of reactions on the NBA universe's social networks, from LeBron James to Stephen Curry.
"BANG BANG," exclaimed James on Twitter, where his former teammate in Miami titles, Dwayne Wade, wrote: "Wow! Luka, we are not worthy."
BANG BANG!! In my *Mike Breen voice
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 23, 2020
At 21 years old, Doncic is the youngest player in the NBA to achieve a triple-double with more than 40 points in a playoff game.
The point guard has exploded in his second season in the NBA, being chosen as a starter for the last All-Star Game and approaching the level of Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidate:
For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard scored 32 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, but forward Paul George again floundered, staying at 9 points (3 of 14 field goals).
Celtics and Raptors advance
The Boston Celtics became the first team to surpass the first round of the playoffs by defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 110-106, taking the series by an implacable 4-0.
Point guard Kemba Walker led the victory with 32 points, accompanied by the young All-Star forward Jayson Tatum with 28 points and 15 rebounds.
For the 76ers, the 30 points and 10 rebounds from Cameroonian center Joel Embiid proved insufficient once again.
Philadelphia, which entered the playoffs with the sensitive absence of its star Ben Simmons due to injury, suffers a new disappointment that puts its entire project at stake, starting with the continuity of coach Brett Brown.
The Celtics, third in the Eastern Conference, will face the Raptors, second, in the next phase, who on Sunday defeated the Brooklyn Nets 150-122 and sealed the series through the 4-0 route.
Results of the first round of playoffs on Sunday in the NBA:
- Philadelphia 76ers - Boston Celtics 106-110 (Series 0-4)
- Dallas Mavericks - LA Clippers 135-133 in overtime (2-2)
- Brooklyn Nets - Toronto Raptors 122-150 (0-4)
- Utah Jazz - Denver Nuggets 129-127 (3-1)
Matches of the first round of playoffs on Monday in the NBA:
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic (12:30 Ecuador time)
- Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (15:00 Ecuador time)
- Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat (17:30 Ecuador time)
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers (20:00)
(D)