Luka Doncic had a favorable isolation on Xavier Tillman and proceeded to drive to the basket until Jayson Tatum stepped up to help double-team the Mavericks superstar.
Doncic, always a willing passer, dished the ball to the open man in the corner. It wasn’t P.J. Washington, who’s knocked down several timely 3-pointers from that very spot. It wasn’t Derrick Jones Jr. It wasn’t even Kyrie Irving.
The recipient of the pass was Dereck Lively II, who only had two attempts from beyond the 3-point line in the regular season and none during the playoffs. Lively calmly hoisted the shot, held his follow-through as the ball snapped through the net and ran back to the other end of the court. The affirmative sound of cheers filled American Airlines Center, sparking an electric moment for the 20-year-old rookie.
It was the first 3-pointer of his NBA career, part of his 11 points and 12 rebounds to help the Mavericks to a convincing win over the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Lively also became the first rookie since Magic Johnson in 1980 with consecutive double-doubles.
Lively dedicated the moment to his late mother, Kathy Drysdale, who died of cancer shortly before the playoffs.
“It’s for her. She helped me make it,” Lively said. “She’s going to help me make a lot more. ... I’m just happy for having Luka pass me the ball in that position. I’m happy I knocked it down. Just got to be able to make the next one.”
Doncic said Lively’s performance was “big-time,” and has been impressed with his growth throughout the season.
“It’s fun having him out there with me,” Doncic said. “Call him my teammate, it’s unbelievable. It’s a pleasure to have him. He’s 50% on the season [on 3-pointers], so he might as well just keep shooting. He’s 1-for-2, right?
A reporter corrected Doncic, revealing that his teammate is now 1-of-3 from beyond the arc throughout the regular season and playoffs.
“All right. 1-for-1 — he’s 100% in the playoffs,” Doncic said.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said the 3-pointer is the next step in Lively’s development, a skill he displayed in high school, along with ballhandling and his routine abilities of crashing the boards and protecting the paint. Lively said he’ll continue to take the 3-pointer if the opportunity presents itself.
Mavs practice ahead of Game 2 of the #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/qYOuIaJ4k9
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) June 8, 2024
Without Lively’s sensational performance, the Mavericks could possibly be wallowing in defeat while the Celtics celebrated their 18th championship in the visitors locker room. Instead, they’re going back to Beantown for another chance to do what many consider impossible. Dallas is finally in the win column and will need three more victories to overcome the dreaded 3-0 deficit, now 3-1.
Lively sent a direct message with the first three words of his postgame press conference with the sense that he’s not satisfied with just one win.
“I’m not comfortable,” Lively said. “We got to win. We got to have a lot more wins. We got to win a lot more of the little battles. Got to stay disciplined. We just got to replicate what we did this game. Do it in the next one.”
Whether Lively knocks down another 3-pointer or not, his performance will be a vital part of making sure there’s one more game at American Airlines Center.
More from Game 4
— ‘It was this or go on vacation’: Mavericks, Luka Doncic put Celtics’ champagne on ice
— Dirk Nowitzki, Sergio Ramos among celebs at Mavs-Celtics Game 4
— Five thoughts: Mavericks spoil Celtics’ party with massive Game 4 rout in Dallas
— Photos: Dallas Mavericks rout Boston Celtics in NBA Finals Game 4 at AAC
