Despite an admirable effort from Luka Doncic and the Mavericks, they failed to walk away with the series-clinching win on Friday, and are now forced to head back to Los Angeles for a Game 7.
Among a number of factors, Kawhi Leonard was really the difference in that ball game, and Doncic himself admitted that his play in Game 6 “destroyed” his ball club.
“He destroyed us. That’s what it is. He had a hell of a game. That’s what he does.”
“[Kawhi] destroyed us. He had a hell of a game. That’s what he does."
—Luka after losing Game 6 pic.twitter.com/W13Mb1tc0M
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 5, 2021
Doncic was the best player of the series through the first 5 games, proving to be an unstoppable force offensively.
But this time, it was Kawhi who took control, cementing his impact on both ends of the floor with 45 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1401028164948615172
Kawhi obviously has Championship experience. He won a title under Gregg Popovich and the Spurs in San Antonio, and then again during his one-year stint with the Raptors. He was named Finals MVP on both occasions.
So, Leonard is no stranger to showing up in the postseason.
But the question is, can he do this again in Game 7, and will it be enough to grab a second-straight win? Not long now before we find out.
