NBA Play-in Tournament: 5 players who could thrive in the play-in

3. Luka Doncic

There aren’t many offensive talents like Luka Doncic, equally capable of snaking around a pick and roll to patiently maneuver to his preferred shooting spots or putting his head down and bullying his way to the basket.

Play too close to Doncic and his size combined with a bag of tricks that includes subtle fakes, stops and direction changes can take him to the rim. Protect the paint and dare him to launch and Luka has no hesitation launching a step-back triple.

The one knock on Doncic early in the season had been his proficiency beyond the arc. He was shooting less than 30.0 percent through the season’s first 20 games. Since Feb. 1, he’s up to 40.4 percent from three on nearly nine attempts per game, checking off the final box in what has become an unstoppable offensive arsenal.

We saw the levels Doncic can reach when desperation puts his back against the wall. In trying to avoid falling behind 3-1 to the LA Clippers in the first round of last year’s playoffs, he went for 43 points, 17 rebounds, 13 assists and the game-winning 3-pointer.

Now a year older with a more refined 3-point shot, Doncic and all the ways he can create and dominate is one of the last players you’d want to see when he knows he has to put everything into a performance.