Doncic Fouls Out of Game 3, Mavericks Fall to Celtics
Luka Doncic fouled out of Game 3 of the NBA Finals with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, a moment that proved critical as the Dallas Mavericks were making a significant comeback from being down 21 points. Doncic attempted to slide in front of Jaylen Brown to draw a charge, but he didn’t get set in time. The whistle blew, and after a replay review, the call was upheld. The Mavericks were trailing by three points at that crucial juncture, and Doncic’s exit was a severe blow to their chances. Ultimately, Dallas lost the game 106-99, giving the Boston Celtics a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Defensive Struggles: A Recurring Theme
Doncic fouled out while on defense, which is ironic given his extensive struggles in this area throughout the series. In Game 2, he was blown by 13 times, the highest by any single defender in the last 10 postseasons. His slow feet and weak lateral movement have been detrimental, turning him into a defensive liability.
Despite Doncic’s stellar offensive performance against Jayson Tatum, his defensive efforts have been laughable. While Tatum has been defensively engaged, Doncic seems to be waiting to play offense rather than committing to defense. Even in the heat of the NBA Finals, Doncic’s defensive effort has been practically non-existent.
Although Doncic is dealing with a sternum injury, it has not been a valid excuse for his poor defensive showing. Historically, he has never been a good defender. Any perceived improvements in his defensive game have been dramatized by his loyal supporters. In this series, Doncic has been so ineffective defensively that it has forced the Mavericks to essentially play four against five.
Doncic's Defensive Blunders
Doncic’s defensive issues have allowed the Celtics to dominate in the paint and generate open three-point shots. Comparisons to James Harden's notorious defensive lapses are now relevant, as fans have witnessed Doncic failing to guard sharpshooters like Sam Hauser. During multiple sequences, Doncic was seen pointing at the opposite side of the court, signaling a lack of awareness. His poor positioning left him incapable of helping when Brown rejected screens. When Brown drove to the basket, Doncic offered half-hearted shuffles before giving up entirely. Consequently, multiple Mavericks had to converge on Brown, leaving other Celtics open for easy shots.
In transition defense, Doncic's shortcomings were glaring. On one play, he stayed on the ground, complaining to referees instead of hustling back on defense. This led to the Celtics walking into yet another open three-pointer. The Mavericks’ defensive deficiencies can’t be blamed solely on Doncic; however, his lack of effort has made an already difficult situation worse.
The Mavericks' Defensive Mirage
The Mavericks’ reputation as a solid defensive team has been shattered by their performance in this series. Besides Doncic, other players like Kyrie Irving don’t fare much better on the defensive end, further complicating matters for Dallas. Boston has outclassed the Mavericks by a wide margin, proving that Dallas’ strong defensive reputation was nothing more than a mirage.
Doncic is undeniably a gifted offensive player, but his defensive ineptitude in this series is glaring. He is not being asked to become an elite defender, just to show modest improvement. Players like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic have turned into competent defenders despite their heavy offensive responsibilities. In contrast, Trae Young and Damian Lillard have long been defensive liabilities. Doncic, who is better than both Young and Lillard, needs to follow the path set by Curry and Jokic.
The Road Ahead
The series is effectively over for the Mavericks, who are down 3-0. Doncic’s lack of defensive effort has been a significant factor in their downfall. As the Mavericks face elimination, reflection and analysis will be crucial for Doncic and the team. There is no denying his offensive brilliance, but if the Mavericks hope to contend for future championships, Doncic’s defensive game needs serious attention.
In the end, this series has highlighted the enormous gap between Doncic’s offensive prowess and his defensive responsibilities. For the Mavericks to have any chance of success moving forward, Doncic must commit to improving his defense. Until then, his deficiencies will continue to cast a long shadow over his undeniable talent.
“Many thanks to @CelticsUnite18,” one fan tweeted, highlighting the overwhelming frustration. “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.”
The world is watching. The onus is now on Doncic to step up — defensively.