Kawhi Leonard, Clippers Beat Luka Doncic, Mavericks in Game 7; Advance to Face Jazz
For the second straight year, the Los Angeles Clippers knocked Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks out of the Western Conference playoffs in the first round.
And for the second straight season, it took one hell of an effort to put the Mavs down.
Led by Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers beat the Mavs 126-111 in Game 7, spoiling another Doncic classic (46 points).
The Clippers never quite found an answer for Doncic in the series. Luckily for them, the rest of the Mavericks couldn't play up to his level.
This was a bizarre series, with the road team winning the first six games before the Clippers finally held serve at home in Game 7. While they advance to the second round, the Mavericks will head into the offseason looking for ways to get Doncic more help.
Key Stats
Kawhi Leonard, LAC: 28 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, four steals
Paul George, LAC: 22 points, 10 assists, three steals
Marcus Morris Sr., LAC: 23 points, 7-of-9 from three
Luka Doncic, DAL: 46 points, 14 assists, seven rebounds
Kristaps Porzingis, DAL: 16 points, 11 rebounds
Tim Hardaway Jr., DAL: 11 points
Kawhi Leonard Met the Moment
The narrative around these Clippers, fair or not, has been that they lack heart and don't come through in the clutch after last season's collapse against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Had they lost to Doncic and the Mavs on Sunday at home in a Game 7, that reputation would have become impossible to shake.
But Leonard, as he's done in the past for the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors, came up clutch when the Clippers needed him. The Clippers may have a long way to go before they live up to the lofty expectations heaped upon them when Leonard and George teamed up two summers ago, but getting past Doncic is no small feat.
Without Leonard's big showings in Games 6 and 7, the Clippers would be on vacation.
Doncic Gave Everything He Had
What more could this man do?
And it still wasn't enough.
Some credit obviously goes to the Clippers, who are a good team. But much of the blame resides in Dallas' supporting cast, who simply didn't rise to the occasion. It's become clear this season that Kristaps Porzingis likely will never be a good enough second option to get the Mavs over the hump.
Dallas needs to find a way to get Doncic a second star. In a loaded Western Conference, Doncic is good enough to get the Mavs into the playoffs. He may even be good enough, as he continues to improve, to win a series or two.
But he won't win a title by himself. Sunday was another reminder.
What's Next?
The Clippers travel to Utah to face the Jazz in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET (TNT).
