Luka Doncic in, Kristaps Porzingis out for Mavericks vs. Clippers in Game 4
Dallas gained one superstar but lost another in its starting lineup Sunday before tipping off against the Clippers in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series.
Luka Doncic, who injured his left ankle in the Clippers’ Game 3 victory Friday that gave Los Angeles a 2-1 series lead, remained with the starters. But in a surprise immediately before tipoff, center Kristaps Porzingis was scratched because of right knee soreness.
Sunday would have been Kobe Bryant’s 42nd birthday. The Lakers honor him in the playoffs with his “leave a legacy” motto and more.
Porzingis experienced soreness in the knee after Game 1 but was listed on the Mavericks’ injury report as probable to play Sunday because of a left heel contusion. The 7-foot-3 Porzingis had averaged 23.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and made 52.9% of his three-pointers in the first three games of the series.
Patrick Beverley missed his third consecutive game for the Clippers. The starting guard is dealing with a strained left calf and Clippers coach Doc Rivers said before tipoff that he did not have an update on his availability later in the series.
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