HOUSTON — Luka Magic keeps leveling up.
The Mavericks superstar, who seems to find a new way to wow the league with each passing game, came up with another gem Sunday night against the Houston Rockets: The 20-foot finger roll.
Doncic in the third quarter was one-on-one against Houston's Jabari Smith Jr. on the corner of the three-point line, perhaps setting up for another classic Luka stepback. And indeed, that's what he did, a stepback to his left side. But instead of taking the shot, Doncic pump-faked and went back to his right.
At some point in this motion -- with the shot clock ticking down to zero -- Doncic had the only logical thought one might have: How about a contested underhand shot? So that's what he did, tossing up a floater at the buzzer. The ball swished through, to the amazement of everyone in the Toyota Center.
"WHAT???" screamed Mavs play-by-play announcer Mark Followill.
The Rockets broadcast took a more resigned approach to the shot.
"Oh no," one of their announcers said as the ball was still in mid-air. "No, no, no."
Take look for yourself:
Doncic's bucket extended the Mavericks' lead to 72-47, so at least he was making it interesting.
"I wasn't surprised," Doncic said of the shot after the game. "You know, when I was young I was bartending so I'm used to that."
Doncic then laughed as he raised up his hand, mimicking the underhand shooting motion (and also that of holding up a cold pint).
"I had a good feeling it was going in," Doncic said, "but I don't know. I think it was one second on the clock ... you know those are the shots I like."
Dallas coach Jason Kidd said Doncic on Sunday night "came out and showed why he’s one of the best in the world."
“To see him do that, I feel a lot of people got excited, but I think at the same time, that’s Luka,” Kidd said. “He’s always able to make tough shots. He’s Picasso. Give him the paintbrush, he’s going to do something special. That shot was pretty special.”
What might be even more impressive about the shot is that it somehow eclipsed Doncic's pregame wizardry, when he banked in a shot -- off the scoreboard. Yes, that's right. Doncic was standing in front of the basket, with his back to the rim, when he heaved a shot off the giant scoreboard hanging over the center of the court. The ball banked off the scoreboard and then banked perfectly off the backboard and into the basket.
And that was just the beginning of the Luka Show on Sunday night.
Watch the Mavericks on WFAA
The Mavericks and WFAA parent company TEGNA have partnered to broadcast select games on WFAA. Here are the remaining games this season on WFAA:
- Thurs., Apr. 4 vs Atlanta Hawks, 6:30 p.m. CT
- Fri., Apr. 5 vs. Golden State Warriors, 7:30 p.m. CT
- Tue., Apr. 9 @ Charlotte Hornets, 6 p.m. CT
- Wed., Apr. 10 @ Miami Heat, 6:30 p.m. CT
- Fri. Apr. 12 vs Detroit Pistons, 7:30 p.m. CT
More Dallas Mavericks coverage from WFAA: