Dallas Mavericks: 3 reasons the Clippers will soon say “1, 2, 3….Cancun!”

1. Luka Magic

Every time you turn around, Doncic is making history and showing why he is not only the future of the league but the present as well.

Doncic and Michael Jordan are the only players in NBA postseason history to cap a 40-point performance with a buzzer-beater while trailing. He is also the 3rd player in NBA postseason history with a 40-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist game, joining Charles Barkley (1993) and Oscar Robertson (1963). The Mavs superstar is the first player with 43+ pts, 17+ rebs, and 13+ ast in a playoff game in NBA history. The only player with that many points, rebounds, and assists in a regular season game, was Wilt Chamberlain (53-32-14) in 1968.

Just when you think he is playing well, he plays better. The bigger the moment, the bigger he plays.

Along with those historic marks, he posted his second consecutive triple-double. He is now the 9th player in NBA history to record consecutive triple-doubles in the playoffs. Doncic (2) joins Magic Johnson (5) and LeBron James (2) as the only players in league history to record multiple triple-doubles in the playoffs.

Carlisle, regardless of how long he’s been in the league, is continuously impressed by Doncic and what he sees night in and night out.

"“This would have to rank pretty high up there,” Carlisle said. “We know this kid has got a flair for the dramatic; he’s a performer as well as a great player. He’s a guy that lives for these moments and is completely fearless. At the end, it was all about finding a way to get the ball in his hands. The last shot was obviously a tremendous shot, but his effort the entire game — it’s just one of those things from top to bottom. It’s a 40-point triple-double with 17 rebounds or something like that. Just a phenomenal effort. He’s got such great heart that if he was able to feel anything close to decent, he was going to probably play today. I wasn’t going to say that publicly, but that’s what this kid is about.”"

Doncic, who is a true team player, thought more of the way his team reacted in the end as opposed to the actual game-winning shot.

"“I was just trying to make it,” Doncic said. “I can’t explain the emotions I had, not only when the ball goes in but when I see the whole team running toward me. That was something special, one of the best feelings I’ve ever had as a player. Just something special.”"

Hitting big shots and putting his team in a position to win is something Doncic has been doing since entering the league. But the question was always posed as to whether he could do it in the playoffs, and well….the proof is in the pudding. He can. The poise is there, the big shot-making, doing it on both ends, fighting through injury, and the will to win is in his veins. I expect this won’t be the last of the “Luka Magic” we see in this postseason.