By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
After defeating the Los Angeles Clippers, Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks are facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
They lost the first game to the top-seeded team but tied the series with a road Game 2 victory, propelled by a brilliant outing from the Slovenian.
Despite facing knee problems and a recent shooting slump, Doncic was 5-8 from beyond the arc after going 5-35 in the previous four matches. Kyrie Irving emphasized that the Mavs never doubted their star player.
“Some of those shots are a centimeter off or an inch off. We know Luka very well, so we’re not relatively worried, but we understand that we have to continue to feed him confidence. But it starts with him, and he knows that in order for us to be successful, he’s going to have to play his role in his team and be a star of the team. And when it’s our time to star in our role, he gives us that chance,” Irving clarified about who’s the No. 1 guy in Dallas.
OH NO, what a way to start the press conference… turn the volume up to the max
Luka’s face represents our reaction 💀
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) May 10, 2024
With a right knee sprain and a bloodied left knee, Luka gave it his all on the court.
“It was just my mentality. I think today was one of the hardest games I’ve had to play. I’m battling out there. I try to do my best to help the team win with just my mentality. Have a great start, and then the team’s going to follow me,” Luka added.
P.J. Washington also erupted in Game 2. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Doncic and Washington became the first duo to each have at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, and five made 3s in a playoff game in NBA history.
“P.J. was amazing. We went to him the first play. We’ve got to do that more. We’ve got to give him the ball more,” Luka Doncic concluded.
The Mavericks are heading home with their Western Conference semifinals series against the Thunder tied 1-1, with Game 3 on May 11th at the American Airlines Center.