Statements
Luka Doncic Fouls Out in Crucial Moment
Luka Doncic fouled out of Game 3 with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter of a high-stakes playoff matchup. The Mavericks were attempting a comeback from being down 21 points when Doncic fouled out while trying to play defense. Doncic attempted to slide in front of Jaylen Brown to draw a charge but failed to get set in time. The whistle blew, and the play went to replay, but the call was upheld. With Doncic out, the Mavericks, who were trailing by three, ultimately lost the game 106-99.
Series Dominance by Boston
Boston now holds a commanding 3-0 series lead. The call on Doncic was very close and could have gone either way, but it wouldn't have been surprising if it had been overturned. Doncic fouling out while defending is ironic, given his defensive struggles throughout this series.
Defensive Woes for Doncic
In Game 2, Doncic was "blown by" 13 times—the most by a single defender in the last 10 postseasons. His slow feet and weak lateral movement have been detrimental to the Mavericks' defense. Despite excelling offensively against Jayson Tatum, Doncic’s lack of defensive effort has been glaring. Tatum, in contrast, has shown considerable effort on both ends of the floor.
Doncic’s defensive performance has been near laughable. His sternum injury isn't a valid excuse for his poor defense. Doncic has never been known for his defensive skills, and any improvements in this area have been dramatized by his supporters. Doncic has been effectively a zero defensively in this series, forcing the Mavericks to play four against five when he's on the floor.
Impacts on Mavericks' Defense
Due to Doncic’s deficiencies, the Celtics have been living in the paint and generating open 3-pointers with ease. Kyrie Irving, another key player for the Mavericks, also struggles with defense, which further complicates matters for the team.
Comparisons to James Harden's infamous lack of defensive efforts have been drawn, revealing just how far Doncic has fallen in this aspect of the game. He was not close to guarding sharpshooter Sam Hauser, and his laughable display of unawareness during multiple plays did not help the Mavericks' cause. Doncic often failed to be in position to help when Brown rejected screens multiple times, offering bumbling shuffles in Brown’s direction before giving up entirely.
Transition and Team Defense
The Mavericks' transition defense suffered as Doncic was frequently caught staying on the ground, complaining to referees instead of hustling back. Consequently, the Celtics capitalized with open 3-pointers, walking into their shots without much resistance.
While the Mavericks are outclassed by the Celtics, the defensive gap can't be blamed solely on Doncic. No one on the Mavericks seems capable of keeping up with the Celtics, shattering the team's reputation as a defensive unit.
Forward Looking
Doncic is undeniably a gifted offensive player, but his defensive ineptitude in this series is glaring. He's not being asked to become an elite defender but simply to show modest improvement. Players like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic have turned into solid defenders despite their offensive responsibilities. In contrast, players like Trae Young and Damian Lillard have long been defensive liabilities. Though Doncic is better than both Young and Lillard, his lack of defensive effort is impossible to ignore, especially in the playoffs.
Series Outlook
The series is effectively over for the Mavericks, and much of that can be attributed to Doncic's lack of commitment on the defensive end. Quotes from various sources paint a clear picture of the frustration surrounding Doncic's performance:
"Many thanks to @CelticsUnite18."
"Honestly, look at that defense. He is roaming around out there like the kid you put in right field in Little League who just picks daisies all game."
"It is one thing to be outmatched defensively."
"Whatever Doncic is doing, it isn't even in the same universe as trying."
"There are players who play defense and players who wait to play offense, and Doncic is a disinterested portrait of the latter."
"It's ridiculous."
"I don't want to hear a word about this sternum injury."
"You can go from a 10% to a 30% in chemistry class, but you're still a failing student."
"Luka Doncic is better than both those guys."
As the Mavericks face the brink of elimination, addressing their defensive shortcomings, particularly Doncic's, will be crucial for any future success.