Luka Doncic makes absurd pass as Mavericks blowout Pacers to keep playoff hopes alive

The Dallas Mavericks crushed the Indiana Pacers 127-104 on Monday night. It was the second night of a back-to-back and just the second of a five-game road trip for Dallas. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for the Mavs and was a much-needed win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic avoided suspension on Monday afternoon as his 16th technical foul was rescinded by the league office, and the 24-year-old made the Pacers pay. He went off for 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal in 28 minutes of action. Doncic was coming off a 40-point double-double in Charlotte, and he stayed locked in against the Pacers.

Luka made one of the best passes of his career as the Mavericks finally put things together on Monday night. The Pacers were without four key rotation players, including Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, but Dallas had lost too many games to teams without their best players. Here is a closer look at the Mavs performance on March 27 before taking a glance at what is next.

Dallas Mavericks keep playoff hopes alive with blowout win over shorthanded Pacers

The Pacers were trapping and trying to get Doncic to give the ball up on Monday night. Fans know that is often a recipe for the Mavs picking them apart with his passing. He pulled off this incredible one in Indiana.

Kyrie Irving is battling through a foot injury, but he put on a show against the Pacers. The eight-time All-Star had 16 points, six assists, three rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in 30 minutes of action. He made seven of his 11 field goals as Dallas outscored the Pacers by 26 with Irving on the floor.

Jaden Hardy had a fantastic game in Indiana. The 20-year-old rookie continues to show his promise as he went off for 20 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 24 minutes of action. He got hot on Monday night, and the shorthanded Pacers had no answers. Hardy is special, but he is still putting it all together.

The Pacers struggled without arguably their three best players on Monday night. Rookie Bennedict Mathurin led the way for Indiana with 20 points, but the entire team struggled to hit shots and create offense without their top weapons.

The Dallas Mavericks moved within a half-game of tenth in the Western Conference. They must move up just to make the Play-In Tournament. Dallas holds the tiebreaker over the Lakers, but the Thunder have the edge over them. The race could come down to the final day, and the Mavs must get back on track if they are going to qualify for the postseason.

The Dallas Mavericks head to Philadelphia to face the 76ers on Wednesday evening before a Saturday and Sunday back-to-back in Miami and Atlanta. Luka Doncic and company desperately need to make it a winning streak on Wednesday as every game is crucial down the stretch. Can the Mavs get back on track? Tune in to find out.