Getty Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers take on Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in round 1 of the NBA playoffs.
The Los Angeles Clippers took Game 1 against the Dallas Mavericks in what is proving to be one of the better first-round series. L.A. won by a score of 118-110 behind 29 points from Kawhi Leonard and 27 from Paul George.
Kristaps Porzingis Gets Questionable Ejection
Kristaps Porzingis started in his first career playoff game, though he didn’t finish it. He was ejected after picking up his second technical foul.
Kristaps Porzingis just got his second tech after he… well he really didn’t do much of anything
Morris, who verbally accepted a two-year, $20MM deal with the Spurs before opting to a one year deal with the Knicks instead, got in Luka Doncic’s face after Doncic complains about being held. Porzingis then came over to stand up for his teammate and was called for the technical.
Mavs coach Rick Carlisle addressed the ejection, calling it “part of the game.”
Carlisle on the Porzingis techs.
The Mavericks don’t have many options at the center position. The team lost Dwight Powell to a season-ending, torn Achilles prior to the hiatus. brought in a pair of big men via trades as a result of Powell’s injury, acquiring Willie Cauley-Stein from the Warriors and Justin Patton from the Thunder. Neither player is with the team in Orlando.
Luka Doncic Tweaks Ankle, Briefly Leaves Game
Luka Doncic left Game 1 in the Mavericks’ series against the Clippers with what appears to be a left ankle injury. He returned minutes later and showcased why he’s one of the best young stars in the league.
The 21-year-old scored 42 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and nine assists in the loss.
Doncic, who is a candidate for the NBA’s most improved award, will surely undergo some additional testing before Game 2. However, it seems unlikely he’ll miss time given he tallied 38 minutes in Game 1.
Doncic hurt his right ankle earlier in the season, causing him to miss 12 games total. Prior to that injury, the former No. 3 overall pick was arguably in the MVP conversation. The wing was scoring 28.8 points while grabbing 9.5 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per contest prior to his original injury.
Full Clippers Roster
The Clippers have everyone available for the first time in the bubble. Montrezl Harrell missed all eight seeding games as he left Orlando to attend to a personal matter, though he suited up on Monday. Here’s the Clippers’ full roster:
- Patrick Beverley
- Amir Coffey
- Paul George
- JaMychal Green
- Montrezl Harrell
- Reggie Jackson
- Kawhi Leonard
- Terance Mann
- Rodney McGruder
- Marcus Morris Sr.
- Joakim Noah
- Patrick Patterson
- Landry Shamet
- Lou Williams
- Ivica Zubac