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Dallas Mavericks: Top 10 moments of the 2018-19 NBA season

By Daniel Lubofsky

DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 18: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates with Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks after scoring a basket against Kenrich Williams #34 of the New Orleans Pelicans to become the sixth all-time leading scorer in the NBA at American Airlines Center on March 18, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. 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. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 18: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates with Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks after scoring a basket against Kenrich Williams #34 of the New Orleans Pelicans to become the sixth all-time leading scorer in the NBA at American Airlines Center on March 18, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. 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. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

8. Luka’s improbable heave in Portland

The highlight reel for Luka Doncic’s incredible rookie season is sure to receive plenty of praise throughout the summer months until we see him back on the basketball court come beginning of next season.

His play overseas clearly shortened his learning curve in the NBA, with a seasoned array of timely step-backs and effortless dribble combinations. Every night, it seemed as though he pulled something new out of his never-ending bag of tricks. He’s the favorite for the Rookie of the Year award for his historic numbers, but it’s hard not to get caught up in the skill-set he brings to the table.

One of his best and most unlikely of highlights came just two days before Christmas against the Portland Trail Blazers. Dallas had the ball down three with just 0.6 seconds left on the game clock. The game seemed all but won by Portland. That is, until Luka got his hands on the basketball.

He caught the ball deep in the right corner with Maurice Harkless draped all over him. Doncic didn’t even have time to think about the quality of the shot before he flung the ball towards the basket as his momentum carried him out of bounds.

As the ball hung in the air and the buzzer blared through the arena for what seemed like far too long, both Jalen Brunson and Wesley Matthews threw their arms to the sky with confidence as it dropped through the net, tying the game and sending the Blazers and their fans into a state of shock.

Portland would go on to rebound and win in the overtime period, but all anyone could talk about that night was the impossible shot from the 19-year-old rookie adding another memorable moment to his growing collection.

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