In a pivotal Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Luka Doncic fouled out with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, leaving the Dallas Mavericks in a precarious position. His exit came as the Mavericks were mounting a comeback from a 21-point deficit, trailing by just three points against the Boston Celtics. Unfortunately for Doncic and the Mavericks, the foul call was upheld after a review, ending his night prematurely. Dallas ultimately lost the game 106-99, and Boston now holds a commanding 3-0 series lead.
A Controversial Foul-Out
Doncic fouled out while trying to slide in front of Jaylen Brown to draw a charge. He wasn’t set in time, prompting the referees to blow the whistle and review the play. Despite the close nature of the call, which could have easily been overturned, the decision stood. The Mavericks were left without their star player during the crucial final minutes.
Defensive Woes for Doncic
Despite his offensive brilliance, Doncic's defensive struggles have been glaring throughout this series. In Game 2, he was "blown by" 13 times, the most by any defender in the last 10 postseasons. His slow feet and weak lateral movement have been detrimental, and his efforts to play defense have been ironic, considering his overall defensive performance.
Doncic has been a zero defensively in this series, causing the Mavericks to essentially play four against five on defense. This has allowed Boston to thrive in the paint and generate open three-pointers. His lack of defensive awareness has been repeatedly exposed, with moments where he was not close to guarding his man and was caught pointing in the wrong direction.
Comparisons and Criticisms
Comparisons have been drawn between Doncic's defensive efforts and those of James Harden during his notorious lapses on that end of the court. In multiple situations during the series, Doncic failed to be in position to help defensively, leading to breakdowns that required other Mavericks to converge on his man. His transition defense has also been weak; he was seen staying on the ground, complaining to referees, while the Celtics capitalized by hitting open three-pointers.
It's not just Doncic's defensive failings that have hurt the Mavericks. Kyrie Irving, also known for his poor defense, further complicates matters for Dallas. The Mavericks' reputation as a defensive team has been exposed as a mirage, with no player able to keep up with the Celtics’ relentless attack.
The Offensive Genius and Defensive Liability
There is no denying Doncic's offensive gifts. He has excelled on this end, even against strong defenders like Jayson Tatum. Offensively, he remains a maestro, dictating the pace and scoreline for the Mavericks. However, his defensive ineptitude stands in stark contrast to his offensive prowess.
Players like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic have managed to improve their defensive capabilities despite carrying significant offensive responsibilities. Doncic, meanwhile, has remained a defensive liability, with his efforts bringing to mind players like Trae Young and Damian Lillard, who have long been criticized for their defense. Unlike Young and Lillard, however, Doncic's defensive shortcomings are more noticeable, especially in the high-stakes environment of the playoffs.
A Series All But Over
With Boston now holding a 3-0 series lead, the chances of a Mavericks comeback are slim to none. The defensive gap between the two teams can't solely be blamed on Doncic. The entire Mavericks roster has failed to keep up with the Celtics, revealing that Dallas' perceived defensive strength was never as solid as it appeared.
Despite his defensive deficiencies, Doncic remains one of the league's most talented players. His performance this series has made it clear that, while he may not need to become an elite defender, he must show modest improvement. Improvement in his defensive effort and awareness could prevent such glaringly negative impacts on his team's overall performance.
As the Mavericks face the likely end of their playoff journey, the focus will undoubtedly shift to how they can address these defensive shortcomings in the future. Doncic's offensive brilliance is undisputed, but for Dallas to be a true contender, defensive improvements from their star player and the supporting cast are essential.