LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 23: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles in front of Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on April 23, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Luka Doncic did not want his team to dig themselves into an 0-2 hole heading back to Dallas. So he made sure to spoil the return of Kawhi Leonard in front of his hometown fans at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Doncic had 32 points and the Mavericks defeated the Clippers 96-93 on Tuesday night in Game 2 to even their first-round, best-of-seven series at one game apiece.
"I was just trying to have fun out there," said Doncic of his mindset in Game 2. "The intensity is way harder, but I just try and go out there and play hard and have fun."
The Slovenian native kept his foot on the gas from tip-off, looking to avoid the 29-point deficit Dallas put themselves into in the first half of Game 1 on Sunday.
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The Mavericks never led in Game 1, but they held the lead for most of the matchup in Game 2, a defensive slugfest that saw neither team take a double-digit lead, and saw the score swing 10 different times with 10 different lead changes.
"I thought our defense was great," said Clippers' head coach Ty Lue. "We held this team to 96 points. You can't ask for anything better. Offensively we needed to be better."
The Clippers led by six points earlier in the fourth quarter, but Doncic hit two big threes and dished out four assists to push the Mavericks over the finish line and steal home court away from the Clippers.
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Kawhi Leonard returned to the lineup after missing the last nine games with right knee inflammation. He looked like he didn't have his legs underneath him at times, but still helped keep the Clippers in the game with 15 points and seven rebounds. He was 0-for-5 from three-point range.
"His timing was definitely off," said Lue of what he saw from his superstar Leonard in his return. "I thought in the 3rd quarter he was more active. As far as getting in any rhythm and getting his shots that's going to come. It's just good having him back on the floor."
The longer the series goes, the more time that will allow Leonard to get back into game shape.
"I feel good," said Leonard after the game. "We still got more games to play. More time to get better. That's what I'm focused on."
James Harden led the Clippers with 22 points and eight assists. Paul George finished with 22.
"There was a little adjustment and us playing with our best player back on the floor with us," said George of Leonard back in the lineup. "That's all I thought it was. The timing and the rhythm will come back the more we get back together."
Mavericks' point guard Kyrie Irving finished with 23 points in the win.
"I think we're prepared for this time of year," said Irving of the Mavericks performance through the first two games. "We know what we've been getting ready for in the playoffs. We have to use that to our advantage...Tonight was one of those night's where we figured it our for all four quarters. We need to take those positive notes into the next game."
The series now shifts to Dallas where the Mavericks will look to hold serve on their home court at American Airlines Center.
Game 3 is Friday night at 5:00PM PT.
