Once the ball left Luka Doncic’s hand, Dorian Finney-Smith, his former Dallas Mavericks teammate, sensed trouble looming upon the Brooklyn Nets. Finney-Smith’s fear was well-founded, given the countless times he had witnessed Doncic make jaw-dropping shots, be it during casual practice sessions or crucial moments in a game. This instance belonged to the latter category, with Doncic hitting a go-ahead 3-pointer off the glass with just 26.1 seconds remaining on the clock. The Slovenian guard himself deemed it the most challenging shot he has ever made in a game.
The pivotal possession leading to Doncic’s extraordinary shot was far from smooth sailing. With the score tied at 120, Doncic was forced to relinquish the ball twice before receiving it back from Maxi Kleber on the right wing with a mere three seconds left on the shot clock. In a defensive scramble, both Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale double-teamed Doncic, leaving him little room to breathe. Undeterred, Doncic executed a swift pivot towards the sideline and, with a three-quarters arm angle reminiscent of a relief pitcher, launched a high-arching hook shot that beautifully banked in for the game-winner.
Witnessing the shot’s sheer incredibility, several Mavericks burst into laughter and shook their heads during the ensuing timeout called by the Nets. Finney-Smith, who spent over six seasons in Dallas before being traded to Brooklyn in the Kyrie Irving deal, stated that he had seen Doncic make similar shots countless times. He humorously remarked that they should have prevented Doncic from reclaiming the ball on that possession, jokingly adding, “S—, he couldn’t even see the rim and he made that mug.”
When quizzed about Doncic potentially calling “bank” on the shot, Finney-Smith firmly denied it, asserting that Doncic hadn’t made such a request. Mavs governor Mark Cuban deemed it the most astounding thing he had ever witnessed and emphasized the team’s dire need for the miraculous shot. Playfully, Doncic replied, “I said it in Slovenian, so he wouldn’t understand.”
Jason Kidd, the Mavericks’ head coach, admitted frantically shouting for a timeout moments before Doncic released the game-winner. Kidd believed that Doncic was “stuck” and wanted to draw up an out-of-bounds play. However, much to the Mavs’ good fortune, the officials failed to hear his timeout entreaty. Kidd described the shot as a “Luka special,” highlighting Doncic’s penchant for thriving in late-game situations. The coach emphasized that Doncic practices these seemingly impossible shots regularly, sometimes catching them on camera and other times merely captivating the human eye. In this instance, the shot happened to astonish both.
Doncic’s exceptional game-winner capped off a remarkable overall performance. Alongside his breathtaking shot, he secured 10 rebounds, dished out seven assists, and committed zero turnovers. Moreover, Doncic finished the night with an impressive shooting percentage of 64%, converting 16 of his 25 attempts from the field. His proficiency from behind the arc was even more astounding, as he sank 9 of 14 3-pointers, setting a new career high in made threes.
Luka Doncic’s game-winner against the Brooklyn Nets left spectators and players alike dumbfounded. The shot defied the odds, showcasing Doncic’s supreme skill and knack for rising to the occasion. Whether it be through intense practice or innate talent, Doncic has proven time and again that he is capable of executing seemingly impossible shots. His game-winner will be etched in the annals of basketball history as one of the most unforgettable moments in the game.
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