NBA playoffs: 3 storylines from the Dallas Mavericks and LA Clippers in Game 1

1. Doncic is ready

Doncic may have a had the roughest start he could possibly have in this playoff series, with five turnovers within the first five minutes of the game, he still made history.

Though he made some history Monday night, he was still unhappy with himself.

"“Terrible,” Doncic said. “I had 11 turnovers. I never had that much. I just want to win.”"

Doncic had 42 points in the game, marking the most points in a playoff debut by any player in NBA history. He is the first 21-year-old to record 40+ points in a playoff game since LeBron James in 2006 and is only the 4th 21-year-old to do it (Tracy McGrady, Magic Johnson).

Regardless of the turnovers and this may sound odd, but he was the best player on the court Monday night. He did not waver in the face of adversity, he took it head-on. His poise in these situations speaks volumes. He’s not afraid of the moment.

Most players nowadays don’t have that experience coming in, some just have a little bit of March Madness action. Though that is playoff-ish, it’s a different type of win or go home and not at as high of a level. This poise Doncic has comes in part from playing in playoffs and championships in Europe, but even he knows the NBA is a higher level.

He finished with a line of 42 points, nine assists and seven rebounds on 13-for-21 from the field. If he can clean up the turnovers, he will be even more of a problem in Game two and beyond for LA than they anticipated.