Fouled Out and Falling Short: Luka Doncic's Game 3 Struggles
Luka Doncic fouled out of Game 3 with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks, who were making a valiant comeback from being down 21 points, found their efforts thwarted at a critical juncture. Doncic fouled out while trying to play defense, attempting to slide in front of Jaylen Brown for a charge. Unfortunately, he didn’t get set in time. The whistle blew, the play went to replay, and the call was upheld. Doncic was gone, and the Mavericks, trailing by three, lost the game 106-99. Boston now holds a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Doncic's Defensive Woes
The call itself was extremely close and could have been overturned. However, Doncic’s foul out was ironic, given his well-documented defensive struggles in this series. Doncic was "blown by" 13 times in Game 2, the most recorded by a single defender in the last ten postseasons. His slow feet and weak lateral movement have been glaring deficiencies.
Doncic’s offensive prowess against Jayson Tatum has been remarkable, but that is where the compliments end. Tatum has shown effort defensively, whereas Doncic has not. Doncic has been more focused on waiting to play offense rather than committing to defense. His defensive effort in the NBA Finals has been nothing short of laughable. Many observers cite his sternum injury, but for those who have followed his career, it is clear that Doncic has never been a good defender. Any supposed improvements in his defensive game have been highly dramatized by his supporters.
Team Struggles
The result of Doncic's poor defense is that the Mavericks effectively play four against five on defense. Boston has exploited this, living in the paint and generating open 3-point shots due to his deficiencies. Compounding the issue is Kyrie Irving, who is also not known for his defensive prowess, creating further complications for Dallas. Doncic’s defensive efforts have even been compared to James Harden’s notoriously poor defense.
Doncic hasn’t even been close to guarding sharpshooter Sam Hauser and was seen in a laughable display of unawareness, pointing at the opposite side of the court. He failed to be in position to help when Brown rejected a screen multiple times and offered bumbling shuffles in Brown’s direction before giving up entirely.
Multiple Mavericks had to converge on Brown due to these breakdowns, and Doncic failed in transition defense by staying on the ground to complain to referees, giving the Celtics another open 3-pointer. Clearly, the Mavericks are outclassed by a wide margin against the Celtics, and this defensive gap cannot be blamed solely on Doncic. The Mavericks’ reputation as a defensive team has turned out to be a mirage.
Offensive Brilliance, Defensive Liability
There is no denying that Doncic is a gifted offensive player. However, 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 fine defenders despite their enormous offensive responsibilities. In stark contrast, Trae Young and Damian Lillard have long been defensive liabilities, and Doncic is better than both. However, his defense is impossible to overlook, especially in the playoffs. Doncic’s lack of defensive effort has been a significant factor in this miserable series for the Mavericks, which is effectively over.
Reactions and Quotes
Fans have not minced their words on social media. One fan remarked, “Many thanks to @CelticsUnite18.” Another observed, “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.”
Another comment summed up the situation succinctly: “It is one thing to be outmatched defensively. Whatever Doncic is doing, it isn't even in the same universe as trying.” Another added, “There are players who play defense and players who wait to play offense, and Doncic is a disinterested portrait of the latter.” It is clear the jeers and criticisms are piling up. As one fan emphasized, “I don't want to hear a word about this sternum injury.”
In a harsh yet witty criticism, another commenter stated, “You can go from a 10% to a 30% in chemistry class, but you're still a failing student.” Despite being better than the much-bemoaned Young and Lillard, Doncic's defense has been dismal. As one fan concluded, “Luka Doncic is better than both those guys.”
In this critical series, Doncic’s lack of defensive effort stands out like a sore thumb. While the Mavericks face elimination, the narrative around Luka Doncic's defensive shortcomings has intensified and shows no signs of waning.