Luka Doncic was nominated a finalist for the most improved player prize saturday. It won’t be long before he becomes a finalist for MVP.
Doncic put on another show Saturday night with 36 points, 14 rebounds and 19 career-record assists to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 136-132 overtime win over the championship leader Milwaukee Bucks. The reigning Rookie of the Year was the talk of the NBA bubble, even in the opposing locker room, where it received great praise from the reigning Most Valuable Player.
“Talented, really talented. One of the most talented guys I’ve ever played against,” said Bucks star Giannis Antetokoumpo, the 2019 MVP who was named finalist for this year’s award. “He is improving the whole team, and he will continue to improve. As long as his team improves, he will be hard to beat.”
Doncic dazzled the electric passages all night, driving through the crowd in the paint only to somehow find an open teammate on the perimeter. For his final assist, Doncic went between his legs to Maxi Kleber for a three-point play with about a minute left in overtime.
Dallas manager Rick Carlisle was particularly impressed with Doncic’s latest assist.
“I clapped. I clapped. I thought it was phenomenal,” Carlisle said. “… Luka is not only a great basketball player, he is a great performer. I would pay money to see him play. I don’t say that for many players, but he’s really special.”
Everyone else seemed to make a bigger deal on the pace of man himself.
“I don’t know why I did it. I just did it. I didn’t think about it,” said Doncic, who has 17 triple-doubles in the league topping the table, including three in five games during the second half. “I’ve seen it and haven’t thought of it before right now.”
Doncic shot 12 for 24 from the field and only committed two turnovers in 42 minutes, leading a Mavericks bout that only had six turnovers as a team.
Doncic said: “I’m feeling fresh and I’m just trying to make the right decision.”
The games on Saturday
Clippers 122, Blazer 117: Los Angeles recovered late and held out after Damian Lillard missed a couple of late free throws that sparked a war or post-match speech.
Nuggets 134, Jazz 132 (2OT): Denver pulled out a late rule lead and first half overtime before holding on thanks to Jamal Murray’s 23 points since return.
Pacers 116, Lakers 111: TJ Warren remained hot with 39 points to help Indiana catch up and improve to 4-1 on the bubble, while Los Angeles dropped to 2-4.
Soli 119, Battery 112: Devin Booker scored 35 points as Phoenix improved 5-0 on the bubble and moved within 2.5 games of eighth place in the West.
Mavericks 136, Bucks 132 (OT): Luka Doncic recorded his seventeenth triple double of the season, leading the championship, overtaking Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Dallas win.
The Sunday program
All Eastern Times. All games are also available on League Pass.
- Wizards vs. Thunder, 12:30 pm
- Grizzlies vs Raptors, 2
- Spurs vs. Pelicans, 3 (ABC)
- Magic vs. Celtics, 5
- Sixers vs. Blazers, 6:30 am (NBATV)
- Rockets vs. Kings, 8
- Nets vs. Clippers, 9 (NBATV)
Status of the playoff match
The West game has strengthened significantly ahead of Sunday’s games. Only 4 1/2 matches now separate the 2-6 suits. The Nuggets finished 1½ game behind the Clippers for second place. The Rockets have kept their hold on third place, but the Thunder and Jazz are just a backlash.
After all, the race for the eighth seed continues to heat up. The Grizzlies lead the Blazers by 1½ games, with the surprising Suns mid-game behind Portland. San Antonio is on par with Phoenix, albeit with a slightly lower win rate. The Pelicans and Kings are still vying to force a play-in scenario, but they need Sunday wins to keep up.
The Raptors can take the number 2 seed in the East with a win on Sunday. The Celtics remain firmly in third place. The Heat and Pacers are in fourth place, with the Sixers mid-game behind in sixth.
Essential reading
WAR OF WORDS: Lillard responds to Beverley and George for taunts
MORE ADJUSTMENT: LeBron struggles to get used to playing without fans
GRIM NEWS: Sixers’ Simmons leaves the bubble for left knee surgery
RACE FOR THE EIGHTH: The rest of the contenders will affect who gets the No. 8?
DELETE EIGHT: Teams not on the bubble are losing ground for next season
UNSUNG HERO: One of the most important figures of Bubble will not be on the field
DO IT HER PART: How Moe Harkless used quarantine to support black culture