Mavs' Luka Doncic beats buzzer with prayer 3-pointer vs. Blazers

Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Rookie phenom Luka Doncic kept the Dallas Mavericks alive with prayer 3-pointer at the buzzer of regulation against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Unfortunately for Doncic, the Mavericks still lost 121-118 on Sunday at Moda Center in Portland. But Doncic's shot was the highlight of the bout.

The Mavericks trailed 107-104 with just 0:00.6 remaining. Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson had the ball for an inbound pass on the baseline. He eyed the floor before firing a pass to his left as Doncic managed to get space away from a defender.

The rookie caught the pass and launched a 3-pointer, while falling into the Blazers' bench. The shot went sky-high before coming down and swishing through the net at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime.

Doncic had 23 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in the loss. Harris Barnes led Dallas with 27 points. Damian Lillard poured in a game-high 33 points for Portland.

Doncic -- the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft -- is averaging 19 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game in his first season. Doncic and the Mavericks host the New Orleans Pelicans at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.