Luka Doncic unleashed a performance that even the Dallas Mavericks could not have predicted tonight. Doncic was added to the injury report prior to Game 5 of their current playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Slovenian was not only classified as “probable” due to a sprained knee, but he was also extremely sick. The 6’7″ point guard, though, didn’t let any of the difficulties stop him from crushing Ty Lue’s team, 123-93. After the 25-year-old led his team to a convincing 30-point victory, Skip Bayless was one of several who expressed his admiration for him.
Skip Bayless spent the entirety of Game 5 spamming X (previously “Twitter”), as we’ve seen him do all playoffs. As the Dallas Mavericks jumped out to an early lead in the first half, Bayless’ remarks primarily focused on the outstanding performance put up by the Texas team.
Luka Doncic finished the game with a performance of 35 points and 10 assists. Bayless wrote, praising the European sensation for his double-double despite probably having congestion and a damaged knee:
And we were led to believe Luka was extremely limited tonight on a sprained knee and also had a bad cold. I couldn’t tell.
And we were led to believe Luka was extremely limited tonight on a sprained knee and also had a bad cold. I couldn't tell.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 2, 2024
The UNDISPUTED host also appeared to be in awe of the five-time All-Star as he effortlessly dismantled the LA team’s defense and informed his rivals of the same.
Luka looks down at his defenders with such disdain. He trash talks the Clippers bench after scoring. He nods his head repeatedly after scoring, as if to say, "You know who I am." Luka Doncic is one bad …
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 2, 2024
In addition to revealing that Luka was unruly tonight, the 72-year-old expressed satisfaction with Jason Kidd’s defensive play. In response to the Dallas team outscoring the Clippers in steals, blocks, and rebounds, Skip said:
I can't believe I'm typing that Luka and the Dallas Mavericks played suffocating defense tonight at the Clippers.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 2, 2024
Luka Doncic was obviously exhausted and occasionally hobbled. Paul George and company couldn’t control the 2024 MVP finalist, even though he wasn’t at his peak physically. The Mavs lead 3-2 after winning Game 5 at the Crypto.com Arena. A rested Luka will have a chance to get to the Western Conference Semifinals and possibly win Game 6 at home when the series returns to Dallas.