The Los Angeles Clippers regained the lead over the Dallas Mavericks, 130-122 in the third game to climb 2-1 in the first-round series.
After Dallas returned to take Game 2, LA gained the momentum the Mavs gained by pushing them into what is officially their first “home” contest of the first round.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George combined with problems in victory, with Leonard 36.
Notable artists
Kawhi Leonard, SF, Los Angeles Clippers: 36 points, nine rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Paul George, SG, Los Angeles Clippers: 11 points, nine rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals
Luka Doncic, SG, Dallas Mavericks: thirteen points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists
Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Dallas Mavericks: 34 points, thirteen rebounds
Luka leaves early
Luka Doncic heads to the locker room after twisting his ankle https://t.co/TKQ04xCf64
Even after a Clippers victory, Friday night’s most important story was the prestige of Mavs’ base Luka Doncic.
The emerging superstar who kept a player away from Kawhi Leonard when he landed awkwardly on his left ankle at the end of the period of the moment, throwing him straight to the floor and jumping into the locker room moments later. Doncic attempted to play against the injury after a brief stopover with the coaches, but suffered from visual pain as he moved on the court and pleaded absent from the game minutes after his return.
Doncic left and dropped on the bench with his double-digit equipment and his evening.