Game 3: Doncic’s Defensive Struggles Highlight Mavericks' Downfall
In a pivotal Game 3, Luka Doncic fouled out with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, ending his night while his team desperately tried to claw back from a steep deficit. The Mavericks had been attempting a comeback, reducing a 21-point deficit to just three points when Doncic fouled out. The foul occurred as Doncic tried to slide in front of Jaylen Brown to take a charge, but he didn’t get set in time. Even after a replay review, the call was upheld, and Doncic was forced to exit the game. Ultimately, the Mavericks fell short, losing 106-99 to the Boston Celtics, who now hold a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Doncic's Defensive Woes
Doncic fouling out while on defense is ironic given his struggles on that end of the court throughout the series. In Game 2, he was blown by a staggering 13 times, the most by a single defender in the last 10 postseasons. His slow feet and weak lateral movement have been glaring deficiencies, consistently exploited by the Celtics. While Doncic has excelled offensively, especially against Jayson Tatum, his defensive effort has been questionable at best. Doncic seems more focused on waiting to play offense rather than committing to defensive responsibilities.
Critics argue that Doncic's sternum injury cannot be used as a valid excuse for his poor defensive performance. Despite his offensive prowess, Doncic has never been known for his defense. Any minor improvements in his defense have often been exaggerated by his supporters. In this series, Doncic has been a liability, causing the Mavericks to effectively play four against five on defense.
The Team's Defensive Struggles
Due to Doncic’s deficiencies, Boston has been living in the paint and generating open three-pointers. The situation is further complicated by Kyrie Irving, who also struggles defensively. This makes a bad defensive situation even worse for Dallas. Comparisons have been drawn between Doncic’s defensive efforts and those of James Harden, who has also been criticized for his lack of defensive effort.
There have been numerous instances in the series where Doncic’s lack of awareness has hurt the team. For example, he was not even close to guarding sharpshooter Sam Hauser, and at one point, he was pointing at the opposite side of the court in a laughable display of unawareness. Moreover, when Jaylen Brown rejected a screen, Doncic failed to be in position to help. His bumbling shuffles towards Brown often ended in giving up entirely, forcing multiple Mavericks to converge on Brown due to Doncic’s breakdowns.
In transition defense, Doncic's effort has also been lacking. He has often stayed on the ground, complaining to referees instead of getting back on defense, which has allowed the Celtics to walk into open three-pointers. It’s clear that the Mavericks, as a whole, are outclassed by a wide margin against the Celtics, but the gap cannot be blamed solely on Doncic. The entire team struggles to keep up with Boston, and the Mavericks' reputation as a defensive team now seems like a mirage.
Doncic’s Offensive Brilliance Overshadowed
There is no denying that Luka Doncic is a gifted offensive player. In this series, he has shown his ability to score and facilitate, often making life difficult for defenders like Jayson Tatum. However, his defensive ineptitude has become impossible to overlook, especially in the playoffs where every possession counts.
Doncic is not being asked to become an elite defender, just to show modest improvement. Other top players who also have significant offensive responsibilities, like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic, have managed to become solid defenders. In contrast, players like Trae Young and Damian Lillard have long been defensive liabilities, and it would be a shame for Doncic to fall into the same category, as he is undoubtedly better than both Young and Lillard.
The Series Outlook
As it stands, the series is effectively over for the Mavericks. Being down 3-0 against a team like the Boston Celtics, who have displayed both offensive and defensive prowess, makes a comeback highly unlikely. Luka Doncic's lack of defensive effort has been a significant factor in the Mavericks' struggles, and unless he addresses these issues, the narrative is unlikely to change in future playoff runs.
Doncic’s defensive lapses have not just been a hindrance; they have been a focal point for criticism. The Mavericks need more from their star player if they hope to challenge elite teams. As the series continues, all eyes will be on Doncic—not just for his offensive brilliance but to see if he can rise to the occasion defensively.