Statements
Luka Doncic fouled out of Game 3 with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks' star exited while trying to play defense, an area that's been under scrutiny throughout this series. As the Mavericks were making a valiant comeback from a 21-point deficit, Doncic attempted to slide in front of Jaylen Brown for a charge but failed to get set in time. The whistle blew, and the play went to replay. The call was upheld, much to the chagrin of Mavericks fans. With Doncic gone, the Mavericks were trailing by three points, and they eventually lost the game 106-99. Boston now holds a commanding 3-0 series lead. The call was very close and could have gone either way, but the officials stuck with their initial decision.
This incident marks an ironic twist, given Doncic's defensive struggles throughout the series. In Game 2, Doncic was "blown by" an astounding 13 times, the most for any single defender in the last 10 postseasons. His slow feet and weak lateral movement have been glaring issues. Offensively, Doncic has excelled against Jayson Tatum, but Tatum's defensive efforts have far outshone Doncic's. Instead of committing to defense, Doncic has often been seen waiting to play offense.
The Mavericks' star's defensive effort in the NBA Finals has been laughable. Despite dealing with a sternum injury, most analysts agree that it's not a valid excuse for his poor performance. Doncic has never been renowned for his defense, and any perceived improvements have been dramatized by his ardent supporters. In this series, Doncic's deficiencies have been so pronounced that the Mavericks have had to effectively play four against five on defense. Boston has capitalized, living in the paint and generating open threes due to Doncic’s shortcomings.
Complicating matters for Dallas is Kyrie Irving, who is also not known for his defensive prowess. This has made it even more difficult for the Mavericks to compete with the Celtics. Doncic's defensive efforts have been compared to James Harden’s notorious lapses on that end of the court. In several instances, Doncic was not close to guarding sharpshooter Sam Hauser, pointing in the opposite direction in a laughable display of unawareness. Furthermore, he failed to be in position to help when Brown rejected a screen multiple times. Doncic’s bumbling shuffles in Brown’s direction often ended in complete surrender.
It wasn’t just in half-court sets where Doncic faltered. His transition defense was equally appalling. A notable instance occurred when he stayed on the ground to complain to referees while the Celtics walked into another open three-pointer. Through this series, multiple Mavericks have had to converge on Brown due to Doncic’s breakdowns, leaving other Celtics players wide open. The defensive gap can't be blamed solely on Doncic, however, as no one on the Mavericks roster seems capable of keeping up with the Celtics.
Despite their reputation as a defensive team, the Mavericks revealed themselves as a mirage in this series. It’s undeniable that Doncic is a gifted offensive player, but his defensive ineptitude in this matchup is glaring. He isn't being asked to become an elite defender, just to show modest improvement. Players like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic have managed to become fine defenders despite their heavy offensive roles. On the other hand, players like Trae Young and Damian Lillard have long been defensive liabilities. Yet even when compared to them, Doncic's defensive efforts are unacceptable, especially in the playoffs where every possession counts.
The lack of defensive effort from Doncic has been a significant factor in the Mavericks' downfall in this series. Quotes from fans and analysts alike reflect the collective frustration. "Honestly, look at that defense," one fan tweeted. "He is roaming around out there like the kid you put in right field in Little League who just picks daisies all game." Another analyst didn't mince words: "Whatever Doncic is doing, it isn't even in the same universe as trying." It’s clear that Doncic is better than both Young and Lillard, but his defense must improve if he wants to lead the Mavericks to greater heights. "There are players who play defense and players who wait to play offense, and Doncic is a disinterested portrait of the latter," another critic observed.
Ultimately, the series is effectively over for the Mavericks. Even though Doncic's offensive wizardry remains unquestioned, his defensive liabilities have been too profound to overlook. The Mavericks will need to address this issue in the offseason to avoid similar disappointments in the future.