Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Mavericks' Luka Doncic nails tough fadeaway, earning love tap from Clippers' James Harden

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Dec 21, 2023 4:03 PM ET

Luka Doncic's skills speak for themselves, but sometimes, even his fellow pros must acknowledge them.

Such was the case Wednesday when the Dallas Mavericks battled the Los Angeles Clippers. Late in the first half, Doncic posted up point guard James Harden before sinking a tough fadeaway shot in the former MVP's face.

This Luka fadeaway was TOUGH

Clippers-Mavs | Live on the NBA App
https://t.co/Bl9gDxKUzH pic.twitter.com/3oX334ilnW
— NBA (@NBA) December 21, 2023

Perhaps both frustrated and impressed with Doncic's play, Harden playfully slapped the Mavs star on the backside as he retreated to the defensive end.

Harden knew it too https://t.co/EWzvlatRJQ pic.twitter.com/0Qyl4GG00p
— NBA (@NBA) December 21, 2023

Doncic's incredible basket was part of a late-half turnaround. After starting the game missing each of his first six shots, Doncic lit up the Clippers, going 7-of-11 from the field with two three-pointers to finish with 21 points at the break.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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