Luka Doncic led the Dallas Mavericks to a Game 5 victory after recording 35 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds. It was an impressive all-around 123-93 win for the Mavs, who now hold a 3-2 series lead over the Los Angeles Clippers. Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal shared their thoughts on Doncic's effort after the game, via NBA on TNT's Inside the NBA.
“He was aggressive and decisive,” Barkley said of Doncic. “Everybody got involved… When he just milks the ball and takes the fadeaway three I really think it hurts the Mavs.”
“He put the world on notice,” Shaq said. “He said, ‘I got to help Kyrie‘… He let everybody know how he was going to play. That's what a superstar is.”
The Mavericks consistently pushed the ball up the floor, which was something that Barkley was a fan of.
“I just like the pace of the game,” Barkley later added. “That's been my criticism of the Mavs… I saw him giving the ball up to Kyrie and other guys a lot more in the last two games. If they played like that, they really got two point guards… Those other guys, they're playing defense. Now they say ‘oh, I'm going to get a shot. I'm going to get a lob.' I mean, that gets your whole energy going as a player.”
Luka Doncic's effort was especially impressive given the fact that he played through a right knee sprain and an illness. Dallas has no shortage of momentum heading into Game 6 following Wednesday's important road victory.
Luka Doncic battling vs. Clippers
Luka has yet to play up to his standards thus far in the series. He is shooting just 26.3 percent from beyond the arc in five games against the Clippers during the 2024 NBA playoffs, via StatMuse.
However, it is important to remember that an underwhelming performance from Doncic is a dream performance for most other players. Luka is still averaging 30.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per outing so far in the 2024 postseason. There is no question that Doncic is making a positive impact for his team.
Playing through injury is not an easy thing to do. Doncic even admitted before Game 5 that he probably would not have played if it was a regular season affair. Luka has refused to use the injury concern as an excuse, though.
He said he played off adrenaline Wednesday, and it certainly seemed to work given his impressive effort.
The Mavericks still have work to do. Luka Doncic knows Dallas cannot let their guard down in Game 6. Momentum is on the Mavs side but they need to keep their foot on the gas.
Game 6 is scheduled for 9:30 PM EST on Friday night in Dallas as the Mavericks look to clinch a series victory.
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