Dallas star Luka Doncic’s buzzer-beater ties series against Clippers
Luka Doncic wasn't about to let a sprained ankle slow him down, nailing a three-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Dallas Mavericks to a 135-133 overtime play-off win over the Los Angeles Clippers yesterday morning (Singapore time).
The 21-year old Slovenian phenomenon, who was playing with a tender ankle and missing his offensive sidekick Kristaps Porzingis, finished with 43 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists to level the first-round NBA Western Conference playoff series at two games each.
Doncic made a basket with 50 seconds left to tie the score 130-130, then gave Dallas a two-point lead with a spinning move to the basket with 19 seconds remaining.
He capped his triple-double with an eight-metre step-back jumper from the left side as time ticked down, sparking a wild celebration on the floor in the NBA's quarantine bubble in Orlando, Florida.
"I can't explain the emotions I had when I saw the ball go in," Doncic said.
"When I saw the whole team coming towards me, that was one of the best feelings I have ever had as a player."
While Dallas levelled their series, the Boston Celtics became the first team to reach the second round with a 110-106 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Celtics will face the defending NBA champions Toronto Raptors, who also moved on to the next round after sweeping the Brooklyn Nets. - AFP
RESULTS:
Brooklyn 122 Toronto 150 (Toronto 4-0)
Philadelphia 106 Boston 110 (Boston 4-0)
Utah 129 Denver 127 (Utah lead 3-1)
Dallas 135 LA Clippers 133 (OT, tied 2-2)
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