Remembering Luka's Bubble Legacy Moment

It's been four years since Luka Doncic etched his name into Dallas Mavericks lore with an unforgettable game-winning shot against the Los Angeles Clippers. On August 23, 2020, in the NBA bubble in Orlando, Doncic hit a step-back three-pointer at the buzzer in overtime, capping off a remarkable performance and evening the first-round playoff series at 2-2.

The shot itself was a thing of beauty—a signature Doncic step-back launched from well beyond the arc over the outstretched arm of Reggie Jackson. But what made the moment truly special was the context surrounding it.

Doncic, just 21 years old at the time, was playing on a tender ankle that had been injured in Game 3. His status was in question right up until game time. To make matters worse, the Mavericks were without Kristaps Porzingis, who was sidelined with knee soreness.

Despite these challenges, Doncic put together one of the most impressive playoff performances in recent memory. He finished with a triple-double of 43 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists. The game-winner was simply the exclamation point on an all-time great playoff showing.

The shot also capped off an impressive comeback for Dallas. The Mavericks had trailed by 21 points in the second quarter before mounting a furious rally. It stands as the largest playoff comeback in franchise history.

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Four years on, this game remains a defining moment in Doncic's young career. It announced his arrival as a superstar capable of taking over on the biggest stage, even while battling injury. For Mavericks fans, it provided hope that the franchise had found its next transcendent player to build around in the post-Dirk Nowitzki era.

While the Mavericks would go on to lose the series in six games, Doncic has continued to improve, earning All-NBA First Team honors in every year since and leading Dallas to an NBA Finals appearance. He has evolved into the superstar the Mavs always imagined he would be, and he hasn’t even reached his highest level yet.