Luka Doncic game-winner caps 18-point comeback against Wolves


Tim MacMahon: Luka Doncic adds to his legend: 32 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists and caps an 18-point comeback win with a game-winning stepback 3 over 4-time DPOY Rudy Gobert. Mavs head home up 2-0.
Source: Twitter @espn_macmahon

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Mavericks’ Jason Kidd on Luka Doncic’s game-winner: “We wanted to get him space and let him do what he does. He set [Rudy Gobert] up for the step-back. For him attacking the paint over and over, Rudy has to honor that. … He loves that stage. He doesn’t run from it.” – 11:19 PM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
Kenny’s right. This ain’t about Gobert. Luka’s gonna cook anybody 1-on-1 in that situation. If you play back, he’s splashing the three; if you play up on him, he’s going to the rim and getting fouled for an and-one. The mistake was leaving one guy on him. – 11:19 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Luka Doncic is just insane, dude. Like what’re the Timberwolves supposed to do? – 11:17 PM
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Luka Doncic has four triple-doubles in a five-game span in the playoffs, joining Nikola Jokic, Magic Johnson and Wilt Chamberlain with such a streak in the same span, per TNT. Doncic hit a game-winner to give the Mavericks a 2-0 lead over the Timberwolves. pic.twitter.com/eVIluBYbYI11:17 PM

Dave McMenamin @mcten
The Wolves were up 108-103 w/ 1:29 to go. From there:
– Kyrie 3 to make it 108-106 w/ 1:05
– McDaniels turnover after coach’s challenge w/ :47 seconds
– Edwards turnover w/ 12.1 seconds
– Luka stepback 3 to make it 109-108 w/ 3.1 seconds
– Naz Reid missed 3 at the buzzer – 11:17 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
5 thoughts: Mavericks’ Luka Doncic seals comeback win vs. Timberwolves, 2-0 series lead dallasnews.com/sports/maveric…11:16 PM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
What Dallas has done, completely turning over their 2022 WCF team is high level.
10 new faces
5 players remain:
Luka, THJ, Powell, Kleber and Josh Green – 11:15 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Rudy made just a monumental mistake in that iso with Luka. Why would he honor Luka’s first step when he knows Luka just wanted him to react and step back? Rudy has been in iso enough against Luka to know exactly what he wanted. He played it all wrong – 11:14 PM
The Ringer @ringernba
Luka and Kyrie in the clutch in the WCF pic.twitter.com/SgtSaHhQmx11:13 PM

Carl Steward @stewardsfolly
A fully engaged Kyrie Irving changes this series so much. Would love to see him go against the team that dumped him, Boston. And any extra games to watch Doncic is perfectly fine with me. – 11:13 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Rudy tried his absolute hardest to execute on that play. His assignment was to keep him off the stepback left so he wouldn’t give up a 3, but Doncic has been working on the jumper going right the last few years. A complete offensive player. – 11:12 PM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
That isn’t Gobert’s fault. Had to bring a second guy to Luka. – 11:12 PM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
The Mavericks look like they’re gonna win the NBA Finals. Elite defense and elite role players, led by two elite closers in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. And by the way, Jason Kidd is coaching his ass off these playoffs. – 11:12 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Luka yelling at Gobert: “You want to punch me in the ribs again?!?!” – 11:12 PM
Brian Geltzeiler @BGeltzNBA
So….its an easy second guess on Nori/Finch to have Rudy on the floor considering they matched down a minute earlier with Anderson but if he keeps Rudy on the bench and Luka drains a 3 on Anderson, the critics are asking why the DPOY was on the bench. Damned if they do…damned – 11:11 PM
Bill Simmons @BillSimmons
That’s a fantastic Mavs win and another legendary Luka game but at the same time WHAT A FUCKING COLLAPSE Jesus Minnesota. Two straight crunch time stinkeroos. And Dallas is just awesome in these close games now. – 11:10 PM
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Luka is a sick, sick individual. My goodness. – 11:10 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
30-point triple-double and the game-winner for Luka in Game 2 🥶 pic.twitter.com/afT0ZnnDOO11:10 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
I’m never forgetting the horrendous narratives heading into the 2018 NBA Draft. The pick was pretty obvious for those who did their homework, and the idea Luka and Book wouldn’t have got along while they were winning a shit-ton of games together will always be funny to me – 11:10 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Luka Doncic silences the crowd with the go-ahead stepback 3 with 3.0 seconds remaining in Game 2. pic.twitter.com/N61M5lnUaB11:09 PM

Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Luka Magic. 2 wins away from the Finals. What a ride. pic.twitter.com/X8m9rzsMf911:09 PM

Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
That damn Luka!!!! That L might have snatched the soul outta the Wolves. – 11:08 PM
Christian Clark @cclark_13
Can’t switch a center onto Luka in that situation. Under any circumstance. – 11:08 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Luka is talking CRAZY i love this – 11:07 PM
Eric Smith @Eric__Smith
Luka is a bad man. Geez. – 11:07 PM
Dan Favale @danfavale
luka doncic update: still magical. pic.twitter.com/kUVxL4bX9L11:07 PM

Chris Vernon @ChrisVernonShow
they gotta charge Luka with physical and verbal assault for what he did to Gobert on that island. – 11:07 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
I know you got a stop on the switch on the last possession, but I think you just have to double there.
Leaving Rudy on an island against Luka at the top of the key is not it. – 11:07 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Luka had been thinking about hitting a game-winner over Gobert since that shot to the ribs. AK – 11:07 PM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
I cannot understand how you let Luka Doncic isolate against anyone on an island for the win. Baffling coaching decision by the Timberwolves. – 11:07 PM
Alan Hahn @alanhahn
Oh damn Luka that was nasty.
In the face of the DPOY. – 11:06 PM
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Mavericks’ Luka Doncic with the game-winning three-pointer over Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert in WCF Game 2 pic.twitter.com/47twhzDw9c11:06 PM

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
109-108, Naz’ triple rims out. Mavs take a 2-0 lead back to Texas. Luka with 32-13-10. Ohhh boy – 11:06 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Luka gets the last laugh as his game-winner gives the Mavs a 2-0 lead 😂 pic.twitter.com/G4wckbbJie11:06 PM

Ben Anderson @BensHoops
Well, Luka rules. – 11:06 PM
Danny Cunningham @RealDCunningham
What an awesome game. Luka is insane. – 11:06 PM
Brian Geltzeiler @BGeltzNBA
Just as impressive as Luka draining that three in Rudy’s grill is he and Kyrie keeping their teammates from celebrating because this game isn’t over yet – 11:06 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Luka right there: “You can’t f—ing guard me.” – 11:05 PM
Katy Winge @katywinge
Luka 😤 – 11:05 PM
Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
Looked like Luka never even crossed over the arc, like Mavs were going for the win the whole way. – 11:05 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Good Lord what a game this is. Everyone knew Luka was going to the step back there and you just can’t stop it. – 11:05 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Luka tonight:
32 PTS
10 REB
13 AST
Game-winner over the DPOY. pic.twitter.com/VUke2XVHA111:05 PM

J. Michael Falgoust @ThisIsJMichael
Doncic made Gobert’s feet do the boogaloo on that iso. Just nasty. – 11:05 PM
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Luka Doncic adds to his legend: 32 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists and caps an 18-point comeback win with a game-winning stepback 3 over 4-time DPOY Rudy Gobert.
Mavs head home up 2-0. – 11:05 PM
Dave Mason @DeuceMason
OMG. Luka. – 11:05 PM
Jamie Hudson @JamieHudson_
LUKA 🥶🥶🥶 – 11:05 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Good Lord, Luka. That is extremely rude – 11:05 PM
Kane Pitman @KanePitman
I think Luka had some words for Rudy Gobert. And let’s be honest, there’s nothing Rudy could do in that situation 😂 – 11:04 PM
Marcus Thompson @ThompsonScribe
Why in the world would you switch and leave Gobert on Luka – 11:04 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Luka Doncic is a bad, bad man. – 11:04 PM
Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Rudy Gobert has been so good isolated on guards all season, especially late in games — which people won’t know when they’re roasting him for that play. But Luka did get him there. – 11:04 PM
Michael Dugat @mdug
Holy shit, Luka – 11:04 PM
Chris Herring @Herring_NBA
Luka is a bad man – 11:04 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
Holy fucking Luka wow – 11:04 PM
Howard Chen @TheHoChen
MY GOODNESSSSS LUKA WAS MEANT FOR THESE MOMENTSSSS WOOOOOW – 11:04 PM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Luka Doncic is a killer – 11:04 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Luka magic. 3-ball. 3 seconds away from possibly, turning out the lights at Target Center this year – 11:04 PM
Tim Cato @tim_cato
well, that’s what Luka does – 11:04 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Oh, my, Doncic. – 11:03 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Luka had Rudy in jail but what a contest by Naz – 11:02 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Huge overturned call here on the video review. Ball off McDaniels, not Doncic. Mavs ball with 47.3 seconds left, down 108-106. – 11:00 PM
Michael Dugat @mdug
I can’t believe Kyrie missed both FTs … or the wide-open three just before on the Luka tip out – 10:59 PM
Stephen Noh @StephNoh
Nice strategy by Kidd here. Takes Luka and Kyrie out to go all defense right before his use-it-or-lose-it timeout goes away at the 3 min mark. Then immediately calls timeout to sub them back in after the stop. pic.twitter.com/uF4m9k21Dm10:52 PM

Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Mavericks fought all the way back and now are trading buckets and trailing 102-101 after two Doncic free throws. 3:05 left. – 10:50 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Luka Doncic to Daniel Gafford pic.twitter.com/hdIeQn0mI610:42 PM

Kevin Chouinard @KLChouinard
Wolves are doing absolutely nothing to make Luka work in defense. – 10:31 PM
Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
Gobert being able to provide resistance when McDaniels gets detached from Doncic is huge pic.twitter.com/KlyQfC5W4B10:20 PM

Stephen Noh @StephNoh
Anthony Edwards playing two here, totally fooled by Luka’s no-look pass pic.twitter.com/uiivvp5Z7W10:17 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Nickeil’s jumper is in hell right now, Ant/KAT are 4/15 FGs each, and Luka is getting whatever he wants against McDaniels
Minnesota might want to go on a run while Luka catches his breath. If Dallas could stop LAC/OKC offenses, then Minnesota is not a challenge. – 10:15 PM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
Dangerous territory here for the Timberwolves. Only up five despite Luka (27 pts, 8 boards, 8 assists) being a (mostly) one- man show for the Mavs. Kyrie Irving with just five points on 2-of-9 shooting. Another rough shooting night for Anthony Edwards (4-of-15). – 10:14 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
The Timberwolves have realized what so many playoff teams have realized: there’s no good way to defend Luka Doncic in pick-and-roll. You can only really cycle through different variations of bad often enough to hopefully keep him off balance. – 10:11 PM
Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Luka put his whole body in this assist pic.twitter.com/cWnw04v8WR10:10 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
The Wolves have dominated the terms of this games even though they’re not shooting well. The latter is why they’re only up 6, and Luka is stalking the back nine – 10:08 PM
Stephen Noh @StephNoh
One of the Mavs’ favorite plays to dial up after a free throw — Luka gets the double ball screen going right with Gafford/Lively as the second screener, Mavs get two dunks out of it. pic.twitter.com/8XIdwW6zLC10:08 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Luka is getting wide open play-action touchdown passes out of middle pick-and-rolls – 10:04 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Luka is so great at manipulating the defense with his eyes. Masterful at throwing guys wide open, almost like a quarterback – 10:04 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Minnesota should be fine if they can just find more money in the paint… missed 16 of 29 shots in there. The volume is great, the efficiency is terrible
Kyrie and Luka have 21 points on 22 shots
Ant and KAT have 22 points on 22 shots
If that stays even, Minnesota likely wins – 9:44 PM
Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
You knew MIN was going to throw a big punch. They did just that leading 60-48 after leading by as many as 18. They hit 5 of their 1st 6 3ptrs in 2nd qtr. The combo of Reid & Conley who scored just 21 in G1 have 24. Luka 16-6-5 the only Mavs w/10+. 2nd half soon @theeagledallas – 9:41 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Mavericks down 60-48 at halftime. Could have been worse. They can’t shoot tonight. But still hanging around. Luka with 16-6-5. Edwards with 13 points, Conley and Reid with 12 each. – 9:37 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
The Wolves take a 60-48 lead into the half. They held Luka and Kyrie to a combined 7-for-22 shooting. Edwards leads MIN with 13 pts. – 9:36 PM
Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
Mavs gotta feel good going to halftime. Cut an 18-point deficit to 12.
Ant & KAT: 6-22
Luka & Kyrie: 7-22
Whichever star duo gets going in the second half probably wins this game. – 9:36 PM
Christopher Hine @ChristopherHine
Timberwolves went cold at the end of the half and let Dallas back into it instead of pushing the lead past 20. They lead 60-48 at the end of the half. 16 for Doncic, 13 for Ant on 3-for-11. Reid and Conley with 12 each. – 9:36 PM
Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
A big part of Kyle Anderson playing well offensively is he can stay in the game to guard Luka, which shifts McDaniels to Kyrie and allows Edwards to guard neither.
Huge for Ant saving energy. – 9:27 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Don’t think Doncic has gotten downhill once yet tonight. Role reversal with him and Ant in G1. A few blitzes but has also had some chances and whatever is bothering him has taken away his burst. – 9:11 PM
Clemente Almanza @CAlmanza1007
Luka Doncic must have Wolverine genes. It’s honestly a miracle he’s still walking. Malpractice by the NBA for forcing him to play through these games. This series should be delayed until he’s healthy it’s only fair – 9:11 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Luka has looked like he’s had a little hitch in his git-along and left the court when he came out of the game with just over three minutes left in the quarter. – 8:59 PM
Mike Prada @MikePradaNBA
I don’t think Luka is too bothered by Jaden McDaniels – 8:50 PM
Stephen Noh @StephNoh
Luka right after he flopped and got the foul call on Towns pic.twitter.com/H5z65dOiNX8:49 PM

Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Minnesota timeout 34 seconds into the game when no T-wolves player came back to get the inbounds pass from Mike Conley after Mavs got a lob-dunk from Luka-to-Gafford. – 8:38 PM
Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Mavs starters: Jones, Washington, Gafford, Irving, Doncic
MIN starters: McDaniels, Towns, Gobert, Edwards, Conley
7:35 tip @theeagledallas – 8:04 PM
Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
Mavs starters: Jones, Washington, Gafford, Irving, Doncic
MIN starters: McDaniels, Towns, Gobert, Edwards, Conley – 8:02 PM
Dwight Howard @DwightHoward
Send a blitz at Luka and get the ball out his hands! Then I need Rudy to dunk everything & hit some more fadeaways 😂💪🏾➡ youtu.be/59nT8MIP3LM?si… pic.twitter.com/ArdiWumzDj6:44 PM

StatMuse @statmuse
Luka playoff ranks in franchise history (minimum 10 games):
1st in PPG
4th in RPG
1st in APG
1st in 3PM pic.twitter.com/5fPstSIfIy2:46 PM

StatMuse @statmuse
Luka in Game 2s:
34.2 PPG
6.8 RPG
7.5 APG
51/47%
Averages the most PPG all-time in Game 2s (minimum 5 games). statmuse.com/nba/player/luk…11:38 AM
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Do you agree with Chandler Parsons that Luka Doncic is already better than Larry Bird? 😯 pic.twitter.com/47jbqkWWsJ3:46 AM

Bill Simmons @BillSimmons
New BS Podcast!
—A Tatum/Brown convo, Indy’s in real trouble, Luka’s lurking, PG’s next team, the Coach Scapegoat era and more w/ @RobMahoney @ChrisRyan77
—HOFer @IsiahThomas on Kyrie’s revival, the ‘89 Pistons vs. Luka, and the best defenses ever.
open.spotify.com/episode/4Qzb6U…12:56 AM

More on this storyline

ClutchPoints: LUKA DONCIC FOR THE LEAD 🔥 MAVS LEAD 109-108 WITH 3 SECONDS LEFT! pic.twitter.com/fX6NHpLY4w -via Twitter @ClutchPointsApp / May 24, 2024
Ben Golliver: TNT’s Reggie Miller: “When [Luka Doncic] can play w/ restraint towards the officials, no one is going to touch Dallas… I wasn’t as bad as him, but I can relate. You’ve got to build up goodwill w/ these officials. If you motherf— them the whole year, they’re going to remember” -via Twitter @BenGolliver / May 23, 2024





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