Doncic Fouls Out: The Turning Point of Game 3
Luka Doncic fouled out of Game 3 with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, a pivotal moment that drastically affected the Mavericks' comeback attempt. The team was clawing back from a 21-point deficit and had trimmed the lead to just three points when Doncic tried to slide in front of Jaylen Brown for a charge. However, he didn’t get set in time. The whistle blew, and the controversial play went to replay, where the call was upheld. Without their star player, the Mavericks struggled and ultimately fell to the Celtics 106-99. With this win, Boston now holds a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Defensive Struggles Plague Doncic
The call against Doncic was indeed very close and could have been overturned. However, what stands out is that Doncic fouled out while playing defense, a bitter irony given his defensive struggles throughout this series. In Game 2, Doncic was "blown by" an astounding 13 times, the most by any single defender in the last ten postseasons. His slow feet and weak lateral movement have been particularly detrimental, making it difficult for him to keep up with opposing players.
Despite excelling offensively against Jayson Tatum, Doncic’s defensive effort has been subpar. Tatum has been active and trying defensively, while Doncic has been seemingly saving his energy for the offensive end. Doncic's lackluster performance on defense has been described as "laughable" and has severely hurt the Mavericks' chances. Even with a sternum injury, this cannot excuse his poor defensive showing.
Improvements in Doncic's defense have often been dramatized by his supporters, but the reality is that he has been a zero defensively in this series. His deficiencies have essentially forced the Mavericks to play four against five on defense. Consequently, Boston has been living in the paint and generating open 3-pointers with ease due to Doncic’s lack of defensive contribution.
The Larger Defensive Picture for the Mavericks
Moreover, Doncic is not the only defensive liability on the Mavericks; Kyrie Irving's defensive struggles further complicate matters for Dallas. Doncic’s defensive lapses have been reminiscent of James Harden’s much-criticized defense in past seasons. For instance, Doncic was nowhere near guarding sharpshooter Sam Hauser and was often seen pointing at the opposite side of the court in a display of unawareness. This lack of effort and focus has been costly, culminating in open shots and easy points for the Celtics.
More than once, multiple Mavericks had to converge on Brown due to Doncic’s breakdowns. He failed in transition defense by staying on the ground and arguing with referees, allowing the Celtics to walk into another open 3-pointer. The Mavericks were thoroughly outclassed by a wide margin against the Celtics, and while Doncic's defensive effort has been glaringly poor, he is not solely to blame. Nobody on the Mavericks has been able to keep up with the Celtics' pace.
The Mavericks’ reputation as a defensive team has proven to be a mirage in this series. Doncic is undeniably a gifted offensive player, but his defensive ineptitude in these critical games cannot be overlooked. While nobody expects Doncic to become an elite defender, a modest improvement would make a significant difference. Players like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic have managed to become competent defenders despite their heavy offensive responsibilities. In contrast, players like Trae Young and Damian Lillard have long been liabilities on defense. Doncic is significantly better than both Young and Lillard, but his defensive lapses are becoming a significant factor against him, especially in the playoffs.
The End of the Road?
Doncic’s lack of defensive effort has been a major factor in this series' outcome. Given the current state, the series is effectively over for the Mavericks. The odds of coming back from a 3-0 deficit against this Celtics team seem incredibly slim. If Doncic and the Mavericks want to change the narrative, they will need to make significant defensive adjustments in the off-season. Otherwise, Doncic's legacy may be tainted by his inability to perform on both ends of the floor when it matters most.
“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,” an unnamed critic noted. This sentiment reflects the broader perception of Doncic’s defensive performance. As one observer aptly put it, “You can go from a 10% to a 30% in chemistry class, but you're still a failing student.” For Doncic, reaching even that 30% defensively could make all the difference.
The time for excuses is over. Doncic must step up defensively if he wants to lead his team to future success. Until then, the Celtics look poised to advance, leaving the Mavericks and their star player to reflect on what went wrong.