Jan 7, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and center Boban Marjanovic (51) and forward James Johnson (16) after the game at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
NBABy Matt Clapp on

The Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets played a highly entertaining game Thursday night in front of a national audience on TNT, with Dallas ultimately coming out on top 124-117 in overtime.

The finish to regulation was especially entertaining.

Denver led 107-106 with 7.7 seconds remaining, when the Mavericks ran a pretty play out of a timeout. Luka Doncic took the inbounds pass, and the Nuggets understandably closed in to double-team the 2021 NBA MVP favorite. That left Max Kleber open, and the unselfish Doncic found Kleber for a go-ahead three with 2.4 seconds remaining.

But on the next play, Nikola Jokic hit a stepback long two — a shot that he made look way too easy — to beat the buzzer and send the game to overtime.

In overtime, Doncic outscored the Nuggets by himself (9-8), leading the Mavs to a 124-117 victory.

The 21-year-old (yes, this dude is still only 21) finished with 38 points (13-of-22 from the field, 10-of-15 at the line), 13 assists, nine rebounds, and four steals in 43 minutes played. He was the only Dallas player to score more than 14 points.

The Mavericks improve to 4-4 in the early going, while the Nuggets fall to 3-5. These teams should both look much better as the season goes on, and a playoff series between them would be thrilling.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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