3 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' chippy Game 3 win over Clippers

1. Stud - Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic picked up right where he left off after putting on a show in Game 2 in the clutch, and he willed the Dallas Mavericks to a Game 3 victory over the LA Clippers.

Doncic finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists while shooting 7-25 from the field and 3-14 from downtown. Luka in the playoffs continues to be one of the most unstoppable forces in the league, and Friday night illustrated that beautifully.

He was getting to his spots, getting his teammates involved, and his killer mentality was shining through him and rubbing off on his teammates. One moment from the game that shows how dialed in Doncic was happened late in the second quarter when he hit a stepback bucket on Kawhi Leonard.

Doncic briefly hit the "too small" gesture after scoring on one of the best defenders of this generation, and Doncic's leadership has been huge in these playoffs, and the team always looks to him when things get tough. His field goal percentage doesn't look great tonight, but he made plays when it mattered most.

The Mavericks and Clippers rivalry continues to be one of the best in the NBA, and Doncic has been right in the middle of it since Dallas met the Clippers in the playoffs in back-to-back years in 2020 and 2021.

Doncic is always at his best when playing the Clippers, and he will need to continue to dominate for the Mavs to take down LA.

Dallas' next game against the Clippers is on Sunday.

For all the latest on Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks throughout the 2024 NBA Playoffs, stay tuned.