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Luka Dončić Astounds NBA Fans amid Injuries in Mavs’ Game 5 Win vs. SGA, Thunder

Luka Dončić Astounds NBA Fans amid Injuries in Mavs’ Game 5 Win vs. SGA, Thunder
Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVMay 16, 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 15: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round 2 Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 15, 2024 at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

Not even significant injury concerns were enough to stop Luka Dončić in Wednesday’s swing game of the second-round playoff series between the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Dončić’s Mavericks are now up 3-2 and a win away from the Western Conference Finals after their 104-92 victory over the Thunder in Game 5 at Paycom Center. The guard was excellent throughout and posted a triple-double of 31 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds behind 12-of-22 shooting from the field and 5-of-11 shooting from deep.

Fellow MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander impressed on the other end with 30 points, eight assists, six rebounds and two steals, but it wasn’t enough to come away with a win.

That is in large part because of Dončić, who drew rave reviews from social media:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

HE’S COOKIN’ 🔥 @luka7doncic pic.twitter.com/fxKI1ROOzc

Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 @JoshEberley

The joy of watching a normal, dominant Luka playoff game >>>

Jason Patt @Bulls_Jay

Luka Legacy Game

claire de lune @ClaireMPLS

luka in sicko mode

lynz @lynziekate

LUKA DONCIC IS ON AN ABSOLUTE HEATER AND I AM LOVING EVERY SECOND

Craig Miller @junior_miller

This is the version of Luka we’ve wanted to see. Locked in, playing at high level, and not a single complaint to the ref so far. Focusing on the opponent and not the officials. So refreshing to watch.

tim cato @tim_cato

welcome to the NBA postseason, Luka Doncic

Bill Simmons @BillSimmons

Did Luka just throw a 65-foot alley oop pass for a dunk or did I imagine that?

Bit Cloud: Weltmeister @WayOfAce

Luka Doncic the best player in the NBA after Jokic and it ain’t too close either

Clarence Hill Jr @clarencehilljr

Luka didn’t complain to the officials. He focused on basketball. Keep it that way

NBA Memes @NBAMemes

Luka is really cooking the Thunder with only 60% of his strength 😳 pic.twitter.com/XHVJtsToYQ

This series has been back-and-forth, but momentum was on the side of the Thunder coming into this one after Gilgeous-Alexander took over in crunch time on the road in Game 4 to steal back home-court advantage.

However, the Mavericks missed the memo.

The visitors built a 10-point halftime lead with Dončić dialed in as he hit from three-point range, unleashed an alley-oop pass to Dereck Lively II from nearly full-court and battled for boards. Throw in Derrick Jones Jr. catching fire from three-point range on his way to 19 points, and Dallas set the tone even in front of a raucous crowd.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

LUKA ALLEY-OOP FROM FULL COURT TO DERECK LIVELY 🤯 pic.twitter.com/MaRKZmzmfM

Dončić’s performance in particular was encouraging for the Mavericks considering the various ailments he has played through during this series, which has led to inconsistent production from the five-time All-Star.

The Dallas defense also continued to play well into the second half, which allowed it to add to its lead heading to the fourth quarter. Yet the Mavericks also controlled large portions of Game 4 just to lose their lead down the stretch, so the pressure was still on to finish the contest.

Dončić recognized that and took over to start the fourth with an and-1, midrange floater and three-pointer to extend the lead to 18. It was only when the Thunder started doubling him and getting the ball out of his hands that they built any momentum and worked their way back into the game.

NBA on TNT @NBAonTNT

Luka knocks down the smooth stepback triple 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/5mxzvojdkG

NBA @NBA

This Luka block to help preserve the lead late was TOUGH. 😤 pic.twitter.com/qeHFAYGwkE

Still, the cushion was enough that timely scoring from P.J. Washington and Jones in the final minutes was more than enough to secure the win for the Mavericks. Dončić even blocked Gilgeous-Alexander in transition for good measure.

Now Dallas will look to close out the series at home in Saturday’s Game 6.

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