Statements
Luka Doncic fouled out of Game 3 with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter while trying to play defense. The Mavericks were in the midst of a comeback from a 21-point deficit. Doncic attempted to slide in front of Jaylen Brown to draw a charge but failed to get set in time. The play went to replay, and the call was upheld, leaving Doncic fouled out with the Mavericks trailing by three. Dallas eventually lost the game 106-99, giving Boston a commanding 3-0 series lead.
The Call
The foul call was incredibly close and could easily have been overturned. Ironically, Doncic fouled out while defending, despite his noticeable defensive struggles throughout this series. In Game 2, Doncic was "blown by" 13 times, the highest for any defender in the last 10 postseasons. His slow feet and weak lateral movement have been significant detriments.
Defensive Effort
Doncic has excelled offensively when matched against Jayson Tatum. However, while Tatum has shown effort defensively, Doncic has notably lagged, prioritizing offense over defense. His defensive performance in the NBA Finals has bordered on laughable. Despite a sternum injury, his supporters cannot use this as an excuse for his poor defensive showing. Doncic has never been known for his defense, and any perceived improvements may have been exaggerated by his fan base.
In this series, Doncic has been a defensive non-factor, effectively making the Mavericks play four against five on that end of the court. His deficiencies have allowed Boston to dominate the paint and create open three-point opportunities. Kyrie Irving's defensive limitations further complicate matters for Dallas.
Comparison to Harden
Doncic's defensive lapses have drawn comparisons to James Harden's well-documented struggles on that end of the floor. He failed to guard sharpshooter Sam Hauser effectively, even pointing in the wrong direction in a comically unaware display. Doncic was also out of position multiple times when Brown rejected screens, offering half-hearted shuffles before entirely giving up.
Multiple Mavericks had to converge on Brown due to Doncic’s defensive breakdowns. In transition defense, Doncic was often caught complaining to referees instead of getting back, allowing the Celtics to walk into open three-pointers. It's clear that the Mavericks are severely outclassed by the Celtics, and while the defensive gap cannot be blamed solely on Doncic, his lapses have been glaringly impactful.
The Defensive Mirage
The idea that the Mavericks were a reputable defensive team has turned out to be a mirage. Doncic, undeniably a gifted offensive player, has shown a glaring lack of defensive effort in this series. He's not asked to become an elite defender but to show modest improvement. Players like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic have managed to become decent defenders despite carrying significant offensive burdens.
In contrast, Trae Young and Damian Lillard have long been considered defensive liabilities, yet Doncic is generally regarded as better than both. His lack of defensive effort is impossible to overlook, especially in the playoffs where every possession counts. Doncic's deficiencies have been a significant factor in this series, effectively ending the Mavericks’ hopes.
Quotes
"Many thanks to @CelticsUnite18."
"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."
"It is one thing to be outmatched defensively."
"Whatever Doncic is doing, it isn't even in the same universe as trying."
"There are players who play defense and players who wait to play offense, and Doncic is a disinterested portrait of the latter."
"It's ridiculous."
"I don't want to hear a word about this sternum injury."
"You can go from a 10% to a 30% in chemistry class, but you're still a failing student."
"Luka Doncic is better than both those guys."
Conclusively, while Doncic's offensive prowess is unquestionable, his defensive ineptitude has been detrimental to the Mavericks. His lack of effort on that end of the floor has contributed significantly to the team’s struggles, effectively putting an end to their playoff aspirations this season.