Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic had a unique chance to avoid a loss to the Chicago Bulls, firing up a desperate mid-court heave that would have resulted in the Mavs saving grace.

Doncic just missed as the shot glanced off the front of the rim, and he was “pissed” that he did:

“That’s why I practice those,” said Doncic, according to Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. “I was pissed I didn’t make that shot. In my mind I’m supposed to make that shot.”

The Mavs rallied late in the fourth, trailing 107-99 with just under 23 seconds left before going on an 8-2 run to give themselves one final chance in the final seconds. Doncic came so close to taking advantage and avoiding the disappointing loss:

If Doncic is upset at missing, it's because he has made those shots before. Most memorably in the Rising Stars Challenge, where he awaited an incoming Trae Young before flinging up a prayer and connecting, to the delight of his draftmate:

This was no All-Star Weekend, however, and the Mavs picked up a loss in the last back-to-back of their season.

Article Continues Below
More Dallas Mavericks News
Tyrese Haliburton, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Exclusive: The surprise superstar AAU ballers picked as NBA’s Face of the LeagueChris Dodson ·
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the New York Knicks at the American Airlines Center.
NBA rumors: Why Tim MacMahon ‘won’t dismiss’ Jason Kidd leaving Mavericks for KnicksJason Patt ·
Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Smith Jr. (8) looks to pass as he is defended by Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green (8) during the first half at the Spectrum Center.
Dallas Mavericks’ 10 worst NBA Draft day mistakes in historySpencer See ·
Mavericks Jason Kidd on left. New York Knicks 2025 logo on right. Question marks all over image.
How Mavericks, Knicks could discuss Jason Kidd trade after Tom Thibodeau firingJoey Mistretta ·
image thumbnail
NBA rumors: Lakers’ Austin Reaves trade strategy as 2 center targets emergeErik Slater ·
NBA commissioner is Adam Silver presents Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (not pictured) with the Michael Jordan Trophy for winning the most valuable player award for the 2024-25 season before game two of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Adam Silver sets record straight on Mavericks landing No. 1 pickBenedetto Vitale ·

The Mavs are now 2-8 in games decided by three points or fewer and 5-15 in games decided by five points and under.

Dallas had a 10-point advantage going into halftime but dropped that in the third quarter, as the Bulls took a 33-17 win in the third quarter to enter the fourth with a six-point advantage. Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged the failure:

“The third quarter was obviously our downfall,” said head coach Rick Carlisle. “They came out of the locker room with great intensity, and we didn’t respond well to it.”

The Mavs have now lost for the 10th time this season after taking a double-digit-point lead, a fact Courtney Lee lamented:

“In this league, if you don’t continue to pound on that lead, you give them opportunities and chance after chance, you wake up their confidence,” said veteran Courtney Lee. “Then they feel like they can play with anybody.”

Dallas found itself trailing and ultimately losing, not because of a Luka Doncic missed half-court prayer, but due to the mental mistakes that kept them from holding that sound lead at the half.