Luka Doncic makes history as Mavericks struggle to score in loss to Clippers

The Dallas Mavericks had an off night against the LA Clippers on Feb. 12 as they suffered a 99-97 loss on their home floor. They shot just 41.7 percent from the field and made just 12 of their 19 free throws. The Clippers still had no answers for Luka Doncic on Saturday night. He could not replicate his 51-point performance from the first game of the set, but the 22-year-old still managed to put up a monster line.

Luka finished with 45 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists, but it felt like it could have been a lot more. He missed multiple easy shots. Doncic consistently forced the Clippers into switches, but he failed to take advantage on several occasions in the first three quarters before erupting in the fourth.

Their defense kept Dallas in the game on Saturday night. The Mavericks were shorthanded and got virtually no production from their bench in their loss to the Clippers. Here is a closer look at the contest, and what Mavericks can look forward to in the week ahead.

Luka Doncic drops 45 as Dallas Mavericks fall to LA Clippers

Luka did everything in his power to bring the Mavs back in the fourth quarter, but their offense struggled throughout the game and the defense could not get enough stops late. Doncic had 23 points in the final stanza, including 19 straight, but the Clippers got the last laugh on Feb. 12 as Luka missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have changed the outcome.

Luka made some history on Saturday night as he broke his own Mavericks record for most points in two consecutive games with 96 in the set against the rival Clippers. The 22-year-old is unstoppable right now, and fans can expect something special every time he takes the floor.

The Dallas Mavericks are back in action on Tuesday night against the Heat in Miami. They have just two games left before the All-Star break. Luka Doncic will play a third in the week ahead as he is an All-Star reserve for the first time after two straight years in the starting five. Expect Doncic to stay hot heading into the break, and fans won’t want to miss it, so stay tuned.