National Basketball Association

NBA playoffs: Top moments from Game 6 between Clippers and Mavericks

Updated Jun. 4, 2021 11:55 p.m. ET

The first round of the NBA playoffs still isn't over.

Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the LA Clippers were looking to stave off elimination at the hands of Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks on Friday in Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round matchup.

That's exactly what they did, with a 104-97 win to force the first Game 7 of the 2021 NBA playoffs.

Leonard turned in a masterful performance with 45 points, marking his second 40-point game of the series.

Here are the best moments from Clippers-Mavericks Game 6:

Tim Hardaway Jr. had the hot hand early for the Mavs, knocking down two 3-pointers to get the home crowd on their feet.

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On the other side, Reggie Jackson caught fire for the Clippers in the opening quarter, leading all scorers with 14 points.

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And, of course, Dončić was everywhere in the first quarter, with 11 points to lead the Mavericks to a 28-26 lead at the end of the frame.

After a quiet first quarter with just three points, Leonard showed up in the second with 13 points to give the Clippers a 48-45 lead heading into halftime.

To start the third quarter, it was more offense from Hardaway …

… with a Kristaps Porzingis sighting sprinkled in.

But Leonard would not go quietly, erupting for 17 points in the third quarter to keep the Clippers within four entering the fourth.

With the game on the line in the final frame, the Clippers rode the hot hand of Leonard, with their star scoring consistently to deliver a win.

The performance caught the attention of players from around the NBA, attracting their commentary on Twitter.

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