After a critical error late in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Luka Doncic is taking accountability.
In an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Doncic opened up after fouling out with 4:12 of game time left in the Mavericks’ eventual 106-99 loss to the Celtics on Wednesday.
“It was tough. Probably wasn’t the smartest thing,” Doncic said. “[It] was a physical game. I didn’t expect to have six fouls.”
When asked by Andrews about his post-game message to his Dallas teammates, who had to play the most critical stretch of the game without the superstar, Doncic was candid.
“That’s my bad. Can’t do that, especially in the NBA Finals,” Doncic offered.
Without Doncic, the Mavericks ultimately fell into a 0-3 series hole.
Doncic’s miscue came on the heels of a 19-1 run which cut the Mavericks’ deficit from 21 to three in the fourth quarter.
Subsequent to Doncic’s exit, Boston outscored Dallas 13-9 en route to an enormous road victory.
Doncic was lambasted by the media for a continuation of bad defensive efforts on the game’s biggest stage.
“If Luka’s ever going to be a winner coming out of this tunnel here, he’s going to have to use what’s happened in this Finals as a learning experience. His defensive performance is unacceptable,” said ESPN’s Brian Windhorst in a memorable “SportsCenter With Scott Van Pelt” appearance. “He is a hole on the court. The Celtics are attacking him.”
Doncic finished the game with 27 points, six rebounds and six assists but shot just 11-for-27 from the floor.
After a clearing of the air, the Mavericks have no choice but to regroup ahead of a do-or-die Game 4, which tips off Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
