Statements
Luka Doncic fouled out of Game 3 with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks were in the midst of a comeback from being down 21 points when Doncic attempted to slide in front of Jaylen Brown for a charge. Unfortunately, he didn’t get set in time, and the whistle blew. After a replay review, the call was upheld, and Doncic was disqualified from the game with the Mavericks trailing by three points. Ultimately, the Mavericks lost the game 106-99, giving Boston a 3-0 series lead.
The Call and Its Consequences
The decision to uphold the foul call was notably close, and it wouldn’t have been surprising if it had been overturned. Doncic’s foul out was ironic given his defensive struggles in this series. In Game 2, Doncic was "blown by" 13 times, the most by any defender in the last 10 postseasons. His slow feet and weak lateral movement have been significant liabilities for the Mavericks. Despite his offensive brilliance, his defensive performance has been, quite frankly, laughable.
Doncic's sternum injury has been cited by some as a potential excuse for his poor defense, but it fails to hold water. Doncic has never been a good defender, and any perceived improvements have been dramatized by his supporters. In this series, Doncic has been a defensive zero, forcing the Mavericks to essentially play four against five when Boston is on offense.
Exploitations by the Celtics
The Celtics have capitalized on Doncic's defensive deficiencies, living in the paint and generating open three-point shots with ease. The situation is further complicated by Kyrie Irving, who is also not known for his defensive prowess. Comparisons have been drawn to James Harden’s notorious defensive lapses, highlighting Doncic’s struggles even more.
Doncic has been caught out of position multiple times, failing to be in the right spot to help his teammates. Whether it’s being slow to react to Brown’s screens or completely losing track of sharpshooter Sam Hauser, Doncic's lack of awareness has been glaring. He was even seen pointing to the opposite side of the court, leaving his teammates scrambling to cover for his mistakes. His transition defense has been equally problematic, often staying on the ground to argue with referees while the Celtics walk into open three-pointers.
The Larger Defensive Collapse
While Doncic's defensive shortcomings have been glaring, the Mavericks' overall defensive effort against the Celtics has been abysmal. This can't be blamed solely on Doncic; no one on the Mavericks has been able to keep up with the Celtics. The team’s reputation as a strong defensive unit has proven to be a mirage. What’s clear is that Doncic is an undeniably gifted offensive player. However, his glaring defensive ineptitude is impossible to overlook, especially in the critical moments of the playoffs.
The Need for Modest Improvement
Doncic is not being asked to become an elite defender, but he needs to show modest improvement. Players like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic have managed to become competent defenders despite the heavy offensive responsibilities they carry. In contrast, Trae Young and Damian Lillard have long been defensive liabilities, yet Doncic is considered better than both.
Doncic's defensive effort has been a significant factor in this series, contributing to what now seems like an insurmountable 3-0 deficit. The Mavericks are outclassed by a wide margin against the Celtics. Although the defensive gap cannot be blamed solely on Doncic, it's clear that his lack of defensive effort has been a significant factor.
Quotes on Doncic's Defense
Many have taken to social media to criticize Doncic's defensive efforts. One fan sarcastically thanked the Celtics for their performance: “Many thanks to @CelticsUnite18.” Another comment read, “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 criticism didn’t stop there. “It's one thing to be outmatched defensively,” read another comment, “Whatever Doncic is doing, it isn't even in the same universe as trying.” Perhaps one of the harshest critiques was: “You can go from a 10% to a 30% in chemistry class, but you're still a failing student.”
Fans recognize Doncic’s talent but demand more: “Luka Doncic is better than both those guys,” referring to Trae Young and Damian Lillard. It is evident that Doncic must put in the effort on defense to complement his extraordinary offensive skills.
As it stands, the series looks effectively over for the Mavericks unless drastic changes are made, both individually for Doncic and collectively as a team.