Even a sprained right knee and a banged-up left knee could not stop Luka Doncic from willing the Dallas Mavericks to a much-needed win on the road against the top-seed OKC Thunder.
“I think that was one of the hardest games I’ve had to play,” Doncic said. “I’m battling out there trying to do my best to help the team win.”
The 2024 MVP finalist scored 29 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out seven assists to power the Mavericks past the Thunder in Game 2, 119-110, and even their Western Conference semifinals at one-win apiece.
Luka Doncic led a strong @dallasmavs effort in the Game 2 win, tying the series 1-1!
— NBA (@NBA) May 10, 2024
P.J. Washington: 29 PTS, 11 REB, 7 3PM (all playoff career highs)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 33 PTS, 12 REB, 8 AST
Game 3: Saturday at 3:30pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/0A2EWP3C9p
After being held to a 19–point, 6-for-19 shooting in Game 1, the Slovenian wizard connected on 11 of his 21 shots in Game 2.
And just like the competitor that he is, Doncic drew the ire of Thunder fans, who booed him and directed chants his way, after the Maverick argued with some officials in multiple occasions. “
That’s great for me," Doncic said. “I love it.”
PJ Washington added a playoff-high 29 points and 11 rebounds, while making 7-of-11 triples for the Mavericks after averaging just above 13 points per game in the regular season. “
PJ [Washington] played amazing. We went to him in the first play and we got to do it more. We got to give him the ball more.”
The Mavericks also tallied 30 assists in the win, 11 more than compared to the Game 1 loss which the multiple-time All-Star acknowledged earlier.
"Just our energy and sharing the ball were great. We were knocking down shots. It was a whole team effort and everybody [that] stepped on the floor fought.”
Doncic’s backcourt tandem, Kyrie Irving, who is averaging nearly 25 points per game this postseason, was held to just nine points and 11 assists, but Luka was all praises to his teammate.
"He's [Kyrie] been amazing on both sides, helping everybody... it's amazing to have him on our team and to learn from him."
— NBA (@NBA) May 10, 2024
Luka on Kyrie's overall impact to the Mavs ??#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/PIsvHxcx9I
The 25-year-old superstar, however, expects the Thunder to be swinging as the series shifts to Dallas for Games 3 and 4.
“They have great players," Doncic said. "They have great chemistry, great team. And it’s going to be tough. It’s going to be a fight till the end. So, just much respect to Oklahoma (City), but it’s big time we won this game.”
