PHOENIX — In almost any other setting, Luka Doncic’s fourth-quarter dunk and ensuing shot block on Phoenix Suns All-Star Chris Paul might’ve provided the Dallas Mavericks a spark to ignite a late comeback push.
But Dallas needed more fire to complement their 23-year-old superstar Monday night in a 121-114 loss to the Suns in Game 1 of this second-round series.
Doncic finished with 45 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, his highest-scoring game of these playoffs and his sixth 40-point game in 17 playoff appearances. He shot 15 of 30 from the field, 4 of 11 from three and 11 of 14 from the foul line in 44 minutes.