Even when Luka Doncic is struggling, no one can ever count the point guard out. As the Dallas Mavericks trailed the Philadelphia 76ers with nine seconds remaining in the second quarter of their match Thursday night, the Mavs' All-Star starter hit a gorgeous step-back three at the buzzer, closing a half wherein Doncic shot only 3-of-9 with four turnovers.

Check out this clip from Bleacher Report:

Met at halfcourt by the Sixers' Ben Simmons, Doncic passed on a potential screen from teammate Willie Cauley-Stein. However, because Tobias Harris switched onto Doncic, hoping to deter a possible drive into the lane by the Mavs point guard, Simmons was forced to lean back towards the interior to cover a lob pass to a diving Cauley-Stein.

With Luka finally free of the Sixers point guard who had smothered him for much of the night, Doncic unleashed a step-back shot that provided Dallas with the momentum heading into the break.

While the shot provided a nice cap to the first half for Dallas, the first two quarters of the game have gone anything but according to Doncic and the Mavs' plan.

Guarded by Simmons for much of the night, Doncic has been frustrated by a defender who rarely requires help taking on the Mavs' lead guard. Using his superior length and quick lateral movement, Simmons has been able to quarrel Doncic in the mid-range, a spot where the point guard looks to drive to the basket or pick out cutting teammates from the weak side. Unable to bully the Sixers' oversized guard or see around his seven-foot wingspan, Doncic has had a rare inefficient night.