Luka Doncic’s game-winner leads Mavericks past Clippers in Game 4 masterpiece

Luka Doncic carried the Dallas Mavericks to an eye-opening win over the LA Clippers in Game 4.

The LA Clippers led by as many as 21 points in Game 4 on Sunday, but even that massive lead wasn’t enough to stop Luka Doncic.

Thanks to the second-year superstar’s efforts and game-winning 3-pointer over Reggie Jackson in overtime, the 7-seeded Dallas Mavericks secured a huge Game 4 victory to even this first-round NBA playoff series at two games apiece.

Despite not having Kristaps Porzingis due to a sore right knee, Doncic’s second career playoff triple-double — as well as major help from Trey Burke (25 points), Tim Hardaway Jr. (21 points) and Seth Curry (15 points) — helped the Mavs overcome a big first-half deficit and hold off a furious rally from the Clippers in the game’s final minutes.

Lou Williams led LA with 36 points on 13-of-20 shooting in 34 minutes off the bench, while Kawhi Leonard added 32 points and nine rebounds.

What else did you miss in Game 4 between the Clippers and Mavericks?

MVP: Luka Doncic

Doncic was the best player on a court including Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Lou Williams on Sunday. His second playoff triple-double of 43 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists put him alongside Magic Johnson as the only players in league history to record multiple triple-doubles in their first four playoff games. He also joined Charles Barkley and Oscar Robertson as the only players in playoff history with a 40-15-10 stat line:

Though Doncic also committed seven turnovers, this series has done nothing but confirm the greatness in store for him and the Mavs as long as they continue to build around him correctly. He shot 18-for-31 from the floor, hit the game-winning step-back and, in a game where Porzingis was sidelined, played through an ankle injury as he continued to outmaneuver some of the league’s best defenders.

Don’t forget, he was listed as a game-time decision entering Game 4.

Through four games in this series, Doncic is now averaging 31.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game on 51.8 percent shooting. He’ll need to cut down on the turnovers, but based on what he’s doing at just 21 years old, it’s clear he’s destined for greatness.

Meme-able moment:

LVP: Paul George

At what point do we seriously start worrying about “Playoff P”? Or have we long passed that point already? Because the Clippers aren’t going to make it out of the West if his miserable play continues.

George was great in Game 1, putting up 27 points on 10-of-22 shooting. In three games since then, however, he’s tallied just 34 total points on 10-of-47 shooting. In Game 4 he was abysmal on the offensive end once again, finishing his day with nine points on 3-of-14 shooting.

Though PG is still an imposing wing defender, the Clippers will need more from him, especially as the Option B behind Kawhi Leonard. It’s one thing to shy away from big moments as “the guy,” but to throw up these kinds of stinkers in the first round, against this Mavs defense, as the second option? That’s less than encouraging, and he’ll need to get back on track ASAP if LA wants to contend for a championship.