3 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' dominant closeout win over Clippers

1. Stud - Luka Doncic

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic was coming off his best game of the entire playoffs entering Friday night's game against the LA Clippers, and he followed up Wednesday night's 35-point game with another good game.

Doncic finished with 28 points, seven rebounds, and 13 assists in the Game 6 win while shooting 9-26 from the field and 1-10 from downtown. It wasn't the best shooting night for Doncic, but he left his mark on this game early as he finished with 14 points and four assists in the first quarter.

Doncic didn't knock down a three in the first quarter, but he was attacking the rim, getting to the free-throw line, and getting his teammates involved. Doncic looked to be emphasizing getting P.J. Washington involved early, and this led to two Washington first-quarter threes.

Doncic was dialed in on closing this series out from the opening tip, and the knee injury that was holding him back in several of the previous games seemed to be much more nonexistent than in past games. He was playing good defense, moving his feet well, and he was attacking the rim with force.

Dallas is at their best when Doncic attacks the rim early and often, and that's what he did on Friday night.

Dallas' first game of their second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder is on Tuesday.

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