Mavs Journal: Doncic's heroics are breathtaking, but nothing new
One made shot can change the direction of a season. And Luka Doncic's game-winner in Wednesday night's contest against the Memphis Grizzlies felt exactly like one of those moments. In the days leading up to Wednesday's contest, the Mavericks complained about the nature of the NBA's play-in tournament. Portland nursed a 2-1/2 game lead on […]
One made shot can change the direction of a season.
And Luka Doncic's game-winner in Wednesday night's contest against the Memphis Grizzlies felt exactly like one of those moments.
In the days leading up to Wednesday's contest, the Mavericks complained about the nature of the NBA's play-in tournament. Portland nursed a 2-1/2 game lead on Dallas for the sixth seed. And a two-game losing streak placed dropping to the eighth seed in the realm of possibility for the Mavs. A loss Wednesday night meant Memphis crawled within just a half-game of Dallas for the seventh seed. A win gave the Mavs sole possession of any tie-breakers in seeding, and it fended off Memphis- at least for now.
With all that on the line, Doncic hit a nearly falling-down 3-pointer to win the game, and the difficulty of the game-winning shot reminded NBA fans of a legend from the NBA's past.
Doncic's clutch gene:
It may be because Doncic has played professionally since he was a young teenager. It also may be that he never gets rattled by the big moments. But with the game on the line, there is no other young player in the league as trustworthy as Doncic.
In Doncic, there is a bit of young Larry Bird. See, Bird was fearless. He was seemingly so skilled the game felt boring to him. He curated challenges for himself – like playing a game completely left-handed – just to add interest to a regular-season game. There was no moment for him that was too big, make or miss.
On the season, Doncic has two official game-winners, but that doesn't account for the number of late-game runs, big-time baskets, and winning plays he's contributed to Dallas this season. In the fourth quarter, he averages 6.1 points per game and shoots 47 percent from the field. Yet, stats don't completely quantify Doncic's total impact on the Mavericks in fourth quarters. When everything breaks down, he is who the team turns to. They win by his shot-making and lose by his shot-making.
That is where the Bird in Doncic's game lies. More often than not, if Dallas relies on Doncic to win games, it works out. With time winding down he is fearless. Wednesday night's game showed that yet again. No moment is ever too big for Doncic. And the results were lifted arms and praises in FedEx Forum, as he hit one of the most unique game winners the NBA has seen all season.
What does this mean:
Dallas' win staves off Memphis – for now. After complaints of a play-in game, Dallas believes it can move up to the sixth seed in time. With a remaining strength of schedule that holds a combined winning percentage of 44, according to Tankathon, it is possible the Mavericks not only reach the sixth seed but climb even higher.
Doncic's 29 points and late-game shot might have changed the trajectory of the season. And after all the complaints, Dallas may not even need an oh so evil play-in game.
Feature image via Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports.
