Clippers hold off hobbled Mavericks as Luka Doncic injures ankle
4 years ago
Luka #Luka
One Clippers superstar was his ascendent self Friday, Kawhi Leonard’s 36 points and reliable brand of all-world playoff basketball lifting his team to a 130-122 victory over the Dallas Mavericks — whose own star was hobbled by a sprained left ankle.
It remains to be seen if Luka Doncic’s ailing ankle significantly alters the trajectory of what’s been a closely contested, chippy first-round Western Conference series in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
On Friday, after Doncic exited the game for good, the Mavs whittled the Clippers’ 17-point fourth-quarter lead to eight — but after splitting the first two games of this best-of-seven series, the Clippers weren’t letting this one go.
Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) grabs his left leg after being injured during the second half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game against the Los Angeles Clippers Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Montrezl Harrell, center, and Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) exchange words during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
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Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) passes the ball out of a crowd during the second half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game against the Los Angeles Clippers Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) stumbles as he leaves the court after being injured during the second half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game against the Los Angeles Clippers Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) goes to the locker room after being injured during the second half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game against the Los Angeles Clippers Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) passes the ball away from Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) during the second half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George falls back after colliding with Dallas Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Landry Shamet (20) shoots over Dallas Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) shoots over Dallas Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, right, shoots as he is defended by Dallas Mavericks’ Maxi Kleber (42) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George (13) drives against Dallas Mavericks’ Tim Hardaway Jr. (11) during the second quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Marcus Morris Sr. (31) gets between Montrezl Harrell, left, and Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Dallas Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis (6) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) goes to the bench after being involved in a scuffle during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game against the Los Angeles Clippers Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots over Dallas Mavericks’ Tim Hardaway Jr. (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts to a call during the second half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game against the Dallas Mavericks Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Montrezl Harrell (5) talks with head coach Doc Rivers during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game against the Dallas Mavericks Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Dallas Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis, left, battles Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George drives against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Dallas Mavericks’ Boban Marjanovic (51) battles Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) and Paul George (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) is restrained during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game against the Los Angeles Clippers Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Dallas Mavericks’ Trey Burke (32) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Dallas Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis (6) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) and Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Dallas Mavericks’ Boban Marjanovic (51) fouls Los Angeles Clippers’ Landry Shamet (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Dallas Mavericks’ Boban Marjanovic (51) and Los Angeles Clippers’ JaMychal Green (4) reach for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Dallas Mavericks’ Seth Curry (30) drives against Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers argues a call during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Dallas Mavericks’ Tim Hardaway Jr. (11) goes up to shoot against the Los Angeles Clippers during the third quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Landry Shamet, right, goes up to shoot against Dallas Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the second quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts during the second quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) goes up to shoot against Dallas Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis during the second quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Officials get between Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles Clippers’ Marcus Morris Sr., left, during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Dallas Mavericks’ Tim Hardaway Jr. (11) drives past Los Angeles Clippers’ Landry Shamet (20) during the third quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Montrezl Harrell (5) is defended by Dallas Mavericks’ Tim Hardaway Jr. (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Officials get between Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles Clippers’ Marcus Morris Sr. (31) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) pleads his case with an official as Los Angeles Clippers’ Marcus Morris Sr. (31) listens during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Dallas Mavericks’ Seth Curry (30) goes up to shoot against Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George (13) during the second quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots as he is defended by Dallas Mavericks’ Maxi Kleber (42) and Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Landry Shamet (20) shoots against Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Montrezl Harrell (5) and Dallas Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis (6) battle for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Dallas Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis (6) passes past Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Seth Curry (30) of the Dallas Mavericks goes up for a shot against Paul George (13) of the LA Clippers during the second quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 21, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Referee Tony Brown (6) steps between Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles Clippers’ Marcus Morris Sr. (31) during the first quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George (13) shoots against Dallas Mavericks’ Maxi Kleber, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) past Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Paul George (13) of the LA Clippers collides with Luka Doncic (77) of the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 21, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers reacts during Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
JaMychal Green (4) of the LA Clippers shoots against Luka Doncic (77) of the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 21, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) shoots against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, left, drives against Dallas Mavericks’ Maxi Kleber, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard looks to shoot against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Montrezl Harrell (5) goes up to shoot against Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic, left, and Tim Hardaway Jr., right, during the first quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George drives against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers reacts during Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) passes the ball away from Dallas Mavericks defenders Maxi Kleber, left, and Kristaps Porzingis, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) is defended by Dallas Mavericks’ Dorian Finney-Smith (10) during the first quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Dallas Mavericks’ Dorian Finney-Smith (10) goes up to shoot against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Lou Williams (23) brings the ball upcourt against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac (40) and Dallas Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis (6) reach for the tipoff at the start of an NBA basketball first round playoff game Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Kawhi Leonard (2) of the LA Clippers looks on against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 21, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Players take a knee during the national anthem before Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)
Clippers coach Doc Rivers said before Friday’s game that his players had it within them to do better in Game 3, pledging, “we’ll be ready for it.”
And he was right: With Leonard leading the charge, Landry Shamet shining as a starter, and Ivica Zubac given more minutes to roam the paint, the second-seeded Clippers’ intensity was up from the jump.
And it stayed there, even with Patrick Beverley sidelined still with a strained calf.
For their part, the Mavericks had to play on Friday after Doncic went down with a sprained left ankle in the third quarter. The 21-year-old — who made history by scoring 70 points in his first two NBA playoffs games, the highest output by a player in his first two postseason appearances since the NBA/ABA merger — turned the ankle defending Leonard on a drive in the third quarter.
He left the court immediately, but he returned for a short spell in the fourth quarter and was noticeably affected by the injury.
“I could run, but I couldn’t push off the left leg,” Doncic said after the game. “We have great players so it’s better if there can be someone there who can go 100%.”
Doncic played only three minutes in the fourth period before leaving the court again, but still he finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, becoming the first player in Mavericks history to record a triple-double in the playoffs, and the third-youngest to record a triple-double in the playoffs, beside Magic Johnson and LeBron James.
Afterward, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said he was unsure of the severity of the injury, although he noted that it is not the ankle that Doncic has sprained multiple times in the past few years.
Rivers has seen enough ankle sprains to know the show goes on. “I’ve been on both sides of that,” he said. “I don’t worry about it. I just keep coaching my team.”
And, on Friday, seven of his Clippers scored in double figures, the first time that happened in one of the team’s playoff games since April 21, 2014, against Golden State.
It was Leonard, the two-time NBA Finals MVP who shifted the landscape of the NBA when he agreed to sign with the Clippers last offseason, who set the tone.
He logged his 11th consecutive playoff game with at least 20 points, the second-longest such streak of his career. He also joined Bob McAdoo as the only other player in Clippers history to score at least 35 points in consecutive playoff games.
For good measure, the former Riverside King High School star added nine rebounds and eight assists, making him the first Clipper with such a stat line in the postseason.
“I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, he’s one of the most — if not the most — reliable guy,” said Clippers forward Paul George, who shot only 3 of 16 from the field but also had nine rebounds and seven assists. “He picked me up tonight, as did everybody else, and he put this game on his back and won the game for us.”
On Friday, everybody included Shamet, who started in place of Beverley and scored a career-playoff high 18 points. Those included a couple highlight-reel keepers for the 6-foot-4 sophomore shooting guard, who flushed a two-handed dunk over the 7-4 Boban Marjanovic.
“There was real estate in front of me, so I decided to take that up,” Shamet said. “Just make a play and be aggressive for my team. Boban was there, and I just wanted to be aggressive by dunking, so that’s what I did.”
Zubac, the Clippers’ 23-year-old center, played a career playoff-high 29-plus minutes — including helping fend off the Mavs late in the game, en route to 15 points and six rebounds.
“Doc told us before the game, me and Trezz (Harrell), that he was going to try to match my minutes with Boban,” the 7-foot Zubac said. “I got the size to fight a battle with Boban underneath the basket.
“Whatever our coach wants us to do we’re going to do it. Whoever he wants me to guard, I’m going to do it. I’m happy to play my role, happy to help this team win.”
