Luka Doncic uses signature shot to help Mavericks steal Game 1 away from Wolves in Western Conference finals

luka doncic uses signature shot to help mavericks steal game 1 away from wolves in western conference finals

Luka Doncic uses signature shot to help Mavericks steal Game 1 away from Wolves in Western Conference finals

Luka Doncic may not be 100 percent healthy, but as many superstars do, he found a way to win courtesy of clutch moments in the fourth quarter as the Dallas Mavericks stole Game 1 of the Western Conference finals at the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"Just said to myself, 'We got to win this game. I got to be way better,' because [for] three quarters, I didn't play good," Doncic said. "So I just came in the fourth, got to my spot and led the team to win."

Doncic, clearly slowed by the sprained knee he suffered in the first round, relied on his signature shot down the stretch, the stepback jumper. He scored 15 of his game-high 33 points in the final period on 5-of-8 shooting from the field. All five of his makes were outside the paint, including four on stepbacks.

Doncic went on a personal 7-0 run early in the fourth quarter. The first two makes were courtesy of snaking around the defense on a pick-and-roll and hitting stepback jumpers between the charity stripe and the top of the key. He capped the run with a face-up three.

You know Doncic is the king of the stepback by how this one played out. He had an open three off the kickout but instead allowed Anthony Edwards to close out before making a rhythm stepback triple to cut the lead to one.

Doncic sealed the game with this stepback jumper over Jaden McDaniels. Pure basketball poetry.

Doncic got his shot going just in time. He was 5-of-7 outside the paint in the fourth quarter after shooting 2-of-10 on that variety in the first three periods. It tied the most makes outside the paint in the fourth quarter of a game in his entire career, regular season or playoffs.

It was the first time in his career that he made at least five field goals in the fourth quarter, all from outside the paint.

He's also the third Mavericks player in the last 25 years to make five shots outside the paint in the fourth quarter of a playoff game, along with Dirk Nowitzki in 2014 and Kyrie Irving earlier this month.

If Doncic is going to lead Dallas to the NBA Finals, it will be through timely defense, like we saw in Game 1 and his signature shot. He's had to lean on more outside shooting this postseason as he's been hampered by a knee injury. For Doncic, 53 percent of his made shots have been outside the paint this postseason, up from 40 percent in his first three playoff runs.

Although his overall scoring and efficiency have been down lately, Wednesday night proved he can still go to old reliables to make some Luka magic.

OTHER NEWS

17 minutes ago

Julian Assange’s eye-watering bill to fly free

18 minutes ago

Deschamps admits ‘we deserve to be second’ but expects France to click

18 minutes ago

‘Wholly unsuitable’ outdoor dining area removed following shock closure of Wexford pub

18 minutes ago

How do you spot an innovation stock?

18 minutes ago

Maguire lauds Latrell impact on Blues' Origin focus

18 minutes ago

Championship revenue exceeds wages - Deloitte report

18 minutes ago

Heartache for Dutch golfers denied Olympics by their own country: 'We don't think you're worthy'

18 minutes ago

MCG specialist addresses Maroons

18 minutes ago

4,000 missiles, 72-hour outages: Northern Israeli mayor warns of 'blackout scenario'

18 minutes ago

Patriots Reveal Full Training Camp Schedule, Joint Practice With NFC Contender

18 minutes ago

Senator Payman crossing floor a ‘big test’ for PM’s leadership: Sussan Ley

18 minutes ago

Gareth Southgate claims England fans are creating ‘unusual environment’

18 minutes ago

Crowded wildlife rehab center in Plano seeks community help

18 minutes ago

Assange’s eye-watering bill for freedom

18 minutes ago

Nuclear energy is the 'fastest way' to reduce emissions

18 minutes ago

Texans Helping Texans | Houston chef helps others break into the food industry

18 minutes ago

Assistant referee faints in Peru v Canada Copa America clash

18 minutes ago

Economists raise China growth forecasts as exports improve

20 minutes ago

How Origin coaches are feeling on game day

20 minutes ago

That’s a Wrap! The Best of Sydney Whisky Month Revealed

20 minutes ago

Australia miss out when it matters at T20 World Cup as David Warner bids farewell

24 minutes ago

Top of the FLOPS! L'Equipe hand one England star a 3/10 in their brutal ratings after drab 0-0 draw with Slovenia... but which player was deemed 'essential' to Euro 2024 hopes?

24 minutes ago

Cricket's integrity has been TRASHED as India receive helping hand for their T20 World Cup semi-final showdown with England, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH

24 minutes ago

From Centre Court to Euro 2024! Novak Djokovic jets into Munich to cheer on Serbia just hours after the tennis superstar practiced at Wimbledon as he continues recovery from knee surgery

24 minutes ago

Video: Gavin Newsom blasts 'delusional California bashers' as he boasts about 'weird, wild, free-spirited' state that produced Metallica, Kendrick Lamar, blue jeans and Barbie - but there's on big problem with his speech

24 minutes ago

Flood watch issued for parts of Chicago area as strong-to-severe storms possible

27 minutes ago

Tom Selleck and ‘Blue Bloods’ crew to celebrate after filming series finale

27 minutes ago

Australia's Warner bows out of international cricket

27 minutes ago

Soccer-6,101 pieces of history: Brazilian owns world's largest shirt collection

28 minutes ago

A Quiet Place writers' new horror movie starring Hugh Grant unveils its first trailer

28 minutes ago

Comfy and stylish maternity midi dresses from £33 as Jenna Coleman stuns in £995 Tove satin dress

28 minutes ago

49ers' Brandon Aiyuk has sarcastic response to trade report

28 minutes ago

England vs Slovenia LIVE! Euro 2024 result, match stream, latest reaction and updates as Three Lions top group

28 minutes ago

Angler breaks state record with 127-pound catch: 'We got really lucky'

28 minutes ago

2024 Yamaha MT-09: Everything You Need To Know

29 minutes ago

AI is replacing human tasks faster than you think

29 minutes ago

Singapore port congestion shows global ripple impact of Red Sea attacks

29 minutes ago

NATO member Romania to send a Patriot missile system to neighboring Ukraine

29 minutes ago

Tennessee turns over probe into failed Graceland sale to federal authorities, report says

29 minutes ago

Asia-Pacific markets set for mixed open ahead of Australia's May inflation figures