SAD NEWS: Dallas Mavericks’ standout athlete Luka Doncic was involved in a tragic accident on his route to the training grounds, resulting in the loss of his life and was Rushed to mortuary. CHECK IN FOR OTHER PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT

On Friday evening, the Dallas Mavericks sealed their victory over the LA Clippers in Game 6, securing their advancement to the second round, much to the delight of Mavs supporters. Anticipation is high as they prepare to face the Oklahoma City Thunder starting today, marking a significant challenge for the team. The matchup between the two teams is eagerly anticipated, particularly to see which standout player, whether it be Luka Doncic or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will outshine the other.

However, Doncic is still contending with a knee injury, and Maxi Kleber will be sidelined for the entirety of this series due to a shoulder injury, posing a test of resilience for the Mavericks.

Despite the series score, Dallas convincingly handled the Clippers, with several players elevating their performance while others faced challenges. Notably, there are players whose stock rose during the first round, while others experienced a decline ahead of their matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

One player whose performance notably improved is Josh Green. Prior to the playoffs, Green struggled towards the end of the regular season after returning from a sprained ankle injury that sidelined him for nearly a month. During this period, his scoring averaged 3.7 points per game, with a shooting percentage of 21.1 from the field and 10 percent from beyond the arc, unable to make a significant impact as expected by Mavs fans.

However, Green demonstrated a remarkable turnaround in the series against the LA Clippers, averaging 4.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per game, while shooting 38.9 percent from the field. Despite modest statistics, Green’s contribution extends beyond the numbers, as he showcases solid defense and remarkable energy on the court. His playing time increased as the series progressed, particularly stepping up in the absence of Tim Hardaway Jr.