Doncic nets triple-double, beats Clippers at buzzer

Luka Doncic stepped back for a winning 3-pointer — on a tender ankle, no less.

Another installment in the ever-growing legend of Doncic.

Doncic’s deep shot at the buzzer capped a triple-double and the shorthanded Mavericks beat the Clippers 135-133 in overtime Sunday in Orlando, Fla., to even the playoff series at two games apiece.

Doncic finished with 43 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists for his second straight triple-double.

“We know this kid has got a flair for the dramatic,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “He’s a guy that lives for these moments.”

To think, Doncic was a game-time decision due to the left ankle he hurt in Game 3. But once he stepped on the floor, he knew he would give it a go.

And once crunch time hit, the ankle wasn’t even a thought.

“One of the best feelings I’ve ever had as a player,” Doncic said about the winner. “Just something special.”

Marcus Morris hit a 3-pointer with around 9 seconds remaining in OT to give the Clippers the lead. It simply set the stage for Doncic’s winner over Reggie Jackson. His teammates rushed out to congratulate him.

“Big-time players make big-time plays. He’s a bigtime player,” teammate Trey Burke said. “He’s proved it already in this league.”

Doncic’s theatrics helped the seventh-seeded Mavericks post their biggest playoff comeback win, overcoming a 21-point, second-quarter deficit. Their previous best was 19 against the Spurs in San Antonio during Game 5 of the 2003 Western Conference Finals.

Dallas used a 16-0 run in the third to take the lead — and led by 12 points in the fourth before the Clippers rallied.

Lou Williams tied it at 121 by hitting two of three free throws with 50.6 seconds remaining in regulation. After Dallas failed to score on the next possession, the Clippers called a timeout to set up a play with 24.7 seconds left.

Kawhi Leonard’s 3-point attempt with 0.2 seconds remaining was off the mark. The Mavericks failed on a lob toward big man Boban Marjanovic to send it to overtime.

“Bottom line is the last play didn’t lose the game for us,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “It was our entire play from the second quarter on.”

Doncic didn’t have center Kristaps Porzingis, who sat out with right knee soreness.