A monumental performance by Dallas All-Star guard Luka Doncic was followed by a momentous comeback attempt by New Orleans on Thursday. Doncic and Dallas ultimately had just enough to hold off the Pelicans and prevail.
After Dallas built a 24-point lead early in the fourth quarter, New Orleans rallied all the way back to within 122-118 in the final minute, but couldn’t finish off the surge. Doncic turned in one of the best offensive performances in Smoothie King Center history, totaling 49 points. He had a chance to reach the 50-point mark, but misfired on a pair of free throws in the final minute of regulation.