The Memphis Grizzlies‘ 39-point drubbing of the Golden State Warriors last week was the most stunning score of the NBA season.
That is until Sunday.
Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks now own the crown thanks to a 123-90 Game 7 road win over the Phoenix Suns that prompted some to ponder if there’s ever been a more shocking outcome in a Game 7 in any sport. Doncic alone tied the Suns at halftime in a game the Mavericks led 57-27 after two quarters. Meanwhile, Chris Paul and Devin Booker entered the break with a grand total of zero field goals between them.
The final margin of 33 points didn’t do justice to the gulf between the two teams in a game that saw a 64-win Suns team flame out short of the conference finals. NBA Twitter had a field day, with Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki leading the charge while tweeting courtside from the Footprint Center.
Dirk chimes in
Let’s go mavs chants up in here…
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) May 16, 2022
Other NBA players were watching from home, shocked as the rest of us.
Patrick Beverley, meanwhile, was not here for Jeremy Lin’s love for Paul.
Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie joined Doncic in the pile-on with a 30-point effort while shooting 5 of 7 from 3-point distance. He earned a $571,000 bonus in the process and documented the achievement after the final buzzer sounded.
Airport trash talk?
NBA players weren’t the only ones piling on the Suns. Apparently airport trash talk is now a thing.
As is police department Twitter trolling.
NBA media, of course, joined in with equal parts shock and jokes.
The Suns really lied to us for an entire season.
— Black Big Lebowski (@LaJethroJenkins) May 16, 2022
Trying to remember the last time a road team dominated in a game 7 the way the Mavs are tonite. Oh. And Rangers in 7 and Heat in 5.
— David P. Samson (@DavidPSamson) May 16, 2022
In all my years watching NBA playoff basketball, I can’t remember a more shocking Game 7 performance. Luka is good but you couldn’t have told me he was going to be “same-amount-of-halftime-pts-as-The-Suns” good. Or that the No. 1 overall seed would no-show & be down 40. At home.
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) May 16, 2022
After the final buzzer sounded it was time to look forward to the Western Conference finals. And that means Steph vs. Luka.
