mavericks 114,
clippers 101
DALLAS — Luka Doncic had 28 points and 13 assists, Kyrie Irving scored 28 of his 30 points in a second-half surge, and Dallas advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a win over Los Angeles.
Doncic endured another tough shooting night despite soreness in his right knee to do what the Slovenian superstar failed to do three years ago: shut out the Clippers in Dallas in Game 6 of their first-round series. accomplished something.
The fifth-seeded Mavericks defeated the Clippers in three tries in the first round for the first time in the past five seasons and will open the Western Conference semifinals against top-seeded Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.
Paul George had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers, who won the first two games of the series without Kawhi Leonard, but had enough in the last two games when he missed the series with inflammation in his right knee. I couldn't show my scoring ability.
James Harden had 16 points and 13 assists, but was just 5-of-16 from the field and missed all six of his 3-pointers, helping LA miss the first round for the second straight season.
Irving, Doncic's co-star, was added at last year's trade deadline in hopes of making the playoffs the Mavs had been hoping for in their fledgling playoff run, and was a flashy four-pointer who hit a slanted 3-pointer while colliding. The point play gave Dallas its biggest lead. P.J. Tucker made the free throw for a 106-82 lead.
The Clippers responded with an 11-2 run to get within 13 points, but never seriously threatened a big comeback in the final minutes.
Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green (age 8) performs an alley-oop from Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (not pictured) and Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (age 24). vs. Clippers center Ivica Zubac, 40, and Mavericks center Derek Lively II (2) during the first round of the NBA basketball playoff series in Dallas, Friday, May 3, 2024. Watch the first half of Game 6. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, 1, plays Dallas Mavericks guard during the first half of Game 6 of the first round of the NBA Basketball playoff series on Friday, May 3, 2024, in Dallas. , driving with Kyrie Irving (age 11). (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, 1, plays Dallas Mavericks guard during the first half of Game 6 of the first round of the NBA Basketball playoff series on Friday, May 3, 2024, in Dallas. , driving with Kyrie Irving (age 11). (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (42) and guard Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) during the first half of Game 6 of the first round of the NBA basketball playoff series on Friday, May. He was knocked over and crashed to the floor in front of Amir Coffey. Dallas, 3rd, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)