Luka Doncic torched the LA Clippers again in Game 5, and NBA Twitter was left in awe.
Luka Doncic has only played in 11 career playoff games, but he’s already made a reputation for himself as an absolute assassin — especially against these LA Clippers, the only team he’s faced through his two postseasons thus far.
Through the first four games of the series, Doncic had averaged a whopping 33.3 points, 8.3 assists and 8.0 rebounds a night while shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from 3-point range. His Dallas Mavericks were tied 2-2 with the mighty Clippers, a team with title aspirations, with neither team being able to win a single game at home.
Because Doncic was dealing with a neck injury, it was unknown how effective he’d be in a pivotal Game 5 at the Staples Center, especially after being held to 19 points in Game 4. Thankfully for Mavs fans, he was more than up for the challenge, torching the Clippers yet again and powering his team to a 14-point lead heading into the final frame.
The reason for that double-digit advantage? Doncic had a whopping 40 points through the first three quarters. As you would expect, NBA Twitter was in absolute awe of what the 22-year-old was doing to one of the league’s best teams.
NBA Twitter couldn’t believe what Luka Doncic was doing
The highlights of course, could be found far and wide for those who wanted to relive what Doncic was doing to the Clippers’ defense.
Luka was on fire in the first half 🔥
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 3, 2021
Already 27 PTS & 8 AST on the night. pic.twitter.com/tXvVPO6FXP
LUKA IS ON FIRE 🔥
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 3, 2021
He’s got a 40-piece in the 3rd QTR. pic.twitter.com/SKQNPoU879
The alley-oop he so easily finished from Tim Hardaway Jr. was simply unreal, even with repeat viewings:
LUKA IS UP TO 37 POINTS!
— NBA (@NBA) June 3, 2021
17-3 @dallasmavs run on TNT pic.twitter.com/5nempitQFp
I thought I was hallucinating as I watch Tim throw an oop to Luka
— Mavs Tracker (@MavsTracker) June 3, 2021
The reactions all seemed to be general adoration for the young superstar, who was balling out once again in just his second NBA Playoff series.
Sure sex is good but have you seen Luka Doncic play playoff basketball in Los Angeles?
— Kirk Henderson (@KirkSeriousFace) June 3, 2021
Luka just played a one-man game of ring-around-the-rosie and sunk a three. What can this kid not do?
— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) June 3, 2021
Mavs are on a 20-3 run in the last four minutes.
Dame and Luka on back to back nights. We’re not worthy.
— pickuphoop (@pickuphoop) June 3, 2021
Luka has this game on a yo-yo string. It’s absurd.
— Paolo Uggetti (@PaoloUggetti) June 3, 2021
Luka toying with folks now...
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) June 3, 2021
Luka coulda stayed in Slovenia eating grapes beside a lake in between mountains next to sheep but he chose to come to America and embarrass the teams every chance he gets and for that I love him
— Noor (@noorrzainab) June 3, 2021
Luka every time he plays at Staples Center pic.twitter.com/OKQCMx6Ek5
— Ball Is Life 🏀 (@BaIIersOnly) June 3, 2021
There was also some concern about the severe lack of help the Mavericks were giving their franchise star:
Luka now has 4 career 40 point playoff games. That’s the same as:
— nick wright (@getnickwright) June 3, 2021
Melo, Duncan, Dame, Kawhi, Karl Malone had in their careers.
It’s more than:
Kyrie, Pierce, AD, Ewing, Moses, Giannis, Isiah has in their careers.
He’s 22 years old and has played 11 career playoff games.
The most hilarious stat in the NBA to me is that Luka is now 4 for 11 in playoff games at cracking 40 points. He’s getting to 40 points in over 36 percent of his playoff games so far lol.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) June 3, 2021
In baseball terms, Luka is hitting .363 in getting to 40 point games lol
Luka Doncic has played 11 career playoff games.
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 3, 2021
He has more 40-point games (4) than games below 25 points (3). pic.twitter.com/jPjuzVbPtX
Luka is in elite company 👏 pic.twitter.com/vrkPOfmo5J
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 3, 2021
All in all, though, it was hard not to revel at what Doncic has done so early in his playoff career:
Doncic has 40 points through 3 quarters. This is the 13th 40-point game (regular season and playoffs) of his career and five of those are against the Clippers.
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) June 3, 2021
He also has games of 39, 38 and 36 against the Clippers.
The Clippers made a run in the fourth quarter to put the pressure back on Dallas, pulling within one point in the final minute and even getting a good look at the basket that would’ve given them the lead. But the shot rimmed out and the Mavs were able to close it out from the free-throw line.
Doncic finished his night with 42 points, 14 assists and 8 rebounds while shooting 17-for-37 from the field, including 6-for-12 from 3-point range. The series now shifts back to Dallas for an elimination Game 6, where the Mavs will try to be the first team in this series to win a home game.