Luka Doncic made history in his first playoff game with 42 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds to set the NBA record for most points in a postseason debut.
But the rising star of the Dallas Mavericks could sum up his Game 1 performance with just one word.
“Terrible,” Doncic said.
The Mavericks point guard turned the ball 11 times, helping the Clippers take a 1-0 lead in this Western Conference first round with a 118-110 victory.
“I should never have converted 11,” Doncic said after the game. “That’s 11 more possessions. Imagine that. I think a lot of this game, I had to do better than that.”
Doncic added: “Eleven bystanders, never had so much. I just want to win. I’m really proud of this team, we fought, we fought ‘to the end. We tried. I’m really proud.’
In addition to setting the NBA record for most points in a playoff debut, Doncic, 21, joined elite company when it came to his big postseason debut. Only Magic Johnson and LeBron James recorded 40-5-5 in a playoff game at a younger age than Doncic, according to research by Elias Sports Bureau.
However, it was a nightmare start for the Mavericks. Not only did they draw 18-2 in the first 3½ minutes, but also had to hold their breath when Doncic hobbled off the court early. The point guard came back after a short turn to make up his left ankle again.
But the Mavericks stormed back, going one 48-18 run at one point. Doncic gave Coach Doc Rivers’ famous Clippers defensive problems, even with Kristaps Porzingis rushing out early in the third after recovering from his second technical foul.
Doncic scored 23 of his points and made 8 of 13 shots in the second half. He scored or helped on 66 of the 82 points the Mavericks scored while on the floor, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
But it was not enough to overcome Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The Clippers duo scored 19 of their combined 56 points in the fourth quarter for the Clippers.
“He’s great,” Leonard said. “You know what I mean? He’s very positive. He’s very confident in that team. He can come to his places, find his teammates, get them easy baskets. He makes tough baskets well. He’s a great player.
George was very impressed with the 21-year-old Maverick.
“The future,” George said of Doncic moments after the game in his ESPN on-court interview.
Despite dealing with things like Patrick Beverley, Leonard, George and Marcus Morris, Doncic made 13 of 21 shots and buried 14 of 15 from the line.
“He’s a fighter,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. “He always goes to battle. He will never be discouraged. He has a very positive attitude on the floor with his teammates. He has been in so many games in his young career that he has seen it all.”
Carlisle added: “Look, his usage rate is so high that he will have a few more [turnovers] then most players. See, we put a lot on him. “
Rivers said he does not care about Doncic’s score, as long as he does not involve his teammates.
“He’s great,” Rivers said. “I thought we secured him reasonably well, forced him to a lot of hard shots, forced him to 11 laps. I thought what we did badly, what shows his greatness, is every time we made a mistake on the weak side , he found that man and that man made a shot.
“I did not do anything about his basketball attacks. I did not represent his 3s. I love our help so he could get the assists. I will give up the points to him – I just want the points and the assists. I think we will give him allowed to have both of yesterday. “
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