Clippers take series opener against Doncic, Mavs after Porzingis tossed
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers had enough answers to withstand Luka Doncic’s record-setting debut — especially after his running mate was thrown out of the game.
Leonard had 29 points and 12 rebounds, and the Clippers got a big boost from the ejection of Kristaps Porzingis to beat the Dallas Mavericks 118-110 on Monday night in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series.
Doncic finished with 42 points, most ever by a player in his first postseason game, and added nine assists and seven rebounds. He had the No. 7 seed hanging right with the Clippers for much of the night.
“I mean, he’s great,” Leonard said.
But Los Angeles pulled into the lead when Porzingis was ejected for picking up his second technical foul in the third quarter and Doncic couldn’t bring the Mavs all the way back.
“KP had my back. He did it for me. He did it for his teammate. He had my back,” Doncic said. “Not just me, but the whole team appreciates that. I don’t think it was fair to take him out of the game, especially in the playoffs.”
Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Wednesday.
Paul George added 27 points and Marcus Morris had 19 for the Clippers. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 18 points for Dallas, and Porzingis finished with 14, as did Seth Curry.
The Clippers knocked around Doncic, the 21-year-old superstar who led the NBA in triple-doubles, whenever they could. He never stopped coming back at them, but late 3-pointers by Patrick Beverley and Morris finally turned Dallas back.
The turning point came much earlier.
Dallas led 71-66 with 9:10 left in the third when Doncic was called for palming the ball. Morris was eager to grab the ball and ended up grabbing Doncic, who sought to push his way free. Porzingis came over and attempted to brush away Morris, who responded with a push. Referees gave both players technical fouls.
Porzingis had picked up his first tech in the first half for his reaction to a foul called when he believed he’d blocked a shot.
“I saw him getting into Luka’s face and I didn’t like that. That’s why I reacted.” Porzingis said. “That’s a smart, smart thing to do from their part. I’ve just got to be smarter and control my emotions, especially on the first one.”
Morris didn’t think either player deserved a technical.
“Playoffs man, nobody should get thrown out in the playoffs,” he said. “I know that really hurt their team so, not my fault though.”