On Tuesday night, Luka Doncic scored 32 points, supported by Kyrie Irving’s 23 points, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 96-93 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. This win tied the Western Conference first-round playoff series, despite the pressure of Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard’s return.
Coach Ty Lue made the announcement of Leonard’s return approximately two hours before tipoff on Tuesday. Leonard had been sidelined since March 31, sitting out the final eight games of the regular season and Sunday’s Game 1 due to inflammation in his surgically repaired knee.
Paul George and James Harden spearheaded the Clippers’ efforts with 22 points each, while Ivica Zubac contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds. Despite their resilience, the Clippers struggled with shooting, managing only 37% from the field and converting just 8 of 30 attempts from beyond the arc.
Trailing for much of the contest, the Clippers mounted a comeback in the third quarter, outscoring the Mavericks 19-10 to seize a narrow 66-65 lead heading into the final frame. However, a pivotal 14-0 run by the Mavericks, highlighted by crucial 3-pointers from P.J. Washington Jr., Doncic, and Irving, swung the momentum decisively in their favor.
Despite a late surge from the Clippers, punctuated by Leonard’s basket narrowing the gap to 93-90 with 20 seconds remaining, Irving’s clutch free throws ensured the Mavericks emerged victorious. George’s last-second three-pointer proved insufficient to alter the outcome.
With the series deadlocked at one game apiece, all eyes now turn to Game 3, slated for Friday in Dallas.
