Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic took a bit of a back seat Saturday night, letting sharpshooter Luke Kennard steal the show.
The Lakers gutted out their ninth straight win against the Orlando Magic in a nail-biter at Kia Center.
Trailing by two with 2.6 seconds remaining, Los Angeles needed some clutch heroics. With Doncic blanketed by the Magic defense, head coach JJ Redick drew up a perfect inbound play to spring Kennard free.
The sharpshooting lefty caught a crisp pass from Marcus Smart and buried a dagger three-pointer, giving the Lakers a 105-104 victory.
As soon as the shot hit nothing but net, Doncic blew kisses to the rowdy Magic crowd.
Isabella Frias-Imagn Images
While Kennard delivered the final blow, Doncic's brilliance kept the Lakers within striking distance. The 27-year-old finished with 33 points, eight assists, five rebounds and four steals. He played 38 minutes, shooting 12-of-30 from the field and 3-of-13 from three-point range.
Fans also loved how Doncic made sure the Magic crowd heard about it. Instagram users sounded off in a highlight clip reposted by SportsCenter.
Doncic's actions right after Kennard's game-winner has turned heads on social media.
"I love it when you can be this way and actually back it up with elite talent," one fan said.
"Child Support Luka is coooold," another added.
"What was the defense doing lol," one user wrote.
"Get em outta here 😂😂😂," another replied.
"That is Luka Magic after all," one fan noted.
"Cuz Luka's a savage🔥," another said.
The night was not without controversy. Doncic picked up his 16th technical foul after jawing with Magic center Goga Bitadze in the third quarter.
The NBA reviewed the incident and rescinded the call on Sunday, thereby cancelling Doncic's supposed suspension. The six-time All-Star will suit up when the Lakers go for their 10th straight win against the Detroit Pistons on Monday.
