Doncic's Costly Defensive Lapses Seal Mavericks' Fate in Game 3
The Dallas Mavericks found themselves in a tight spot late in Game 3 of their series against the Boston Celtics. Luka Doncic, the Mavericks’ star player, fouled out with 4:12 left in the fourth quarter while attempting to defend Jaylen Brown. As the Mavericks battled back from a 21-point deficit, Doncic’s absence became a critical moment in the game. The play was reviewed, but the foul call stood, leaving Doncic on the bench and the Mavericks trailing by three points. Ultimately, Dallas fell short, losing the game 106-99, and Boston now holds a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Defensive Struggles Continue for Doncic
This series has exposed glaring weaknesses in Doncic’s defense. In Game 2, he was “blown by” 13 times, marking the most instances of this occurring to a single defender in the past decade of postseason basketball. Doncic’s slow feet and weak lateral movement have been significant liabilities for the Mavericks. Despite his offensive prowess, defensively Doncic has struggled mightily, allowing the Celtics easy access to the paint and open three-point opportunities.
While Doncic has excelled offensively against Jayson Tatum, even managing to outscore him in some stretches, Tatum’s defensive efforts have eclipsed Doncic’s. Observers have criticized Doncic for waiting to play offense rather than committing to defense. His lack of effort has been particularly noticeable and has drawn unfavorable comparisons to past poor defenders like James Harden. Doncic’s defensive performance in the NBA Finals has been described as laughable, and even a sternum injury doesn’t serve as an adequate excuse for his lackluster play.
Impact on Team Dynamics
Doncic’s defensive deficiencies have had a ripple effect on the Mavericks' overall performance. His inability to guard effectively has often left the team playing four against five on defense. This has allowed the Celtics to exploit mismatches, live in the paint, and generate open three-point shots. The fact that Kyrie Irving also struggles defensively only complicates matters further for Dallas.
Game footage has repeatedly shown Doncic failing to keep up with his assignments. He was notably absent in guarding sharpshooter Sam Hauser and in several instances, he was seen pointing in the wrong direction, exhibiting a stark lack of awareness. When Jaylen Brown rejected a screen multiple times, Doncic offered bumbling shuffles in Brown’s direction before giving up entirely. These breakdowns forced other Mavericks to converge on Brown, leading to defensive breakdowns and open shots for the Celtics.
Additionally, Doncic’s transition defense has been a sore point. Instead of hustling back, he would often remain on the ground, complaining to referees, while the Celtics capitalized on his absence with easy buckets and open three-pointers. It was in these critical moments that Doncic’s lack of defensive effort was most glaring.
A Broader Perspective
The Mavericks' struggles can't be blamed solely on Doncic. As a team, Dallas has been outclassed by Boston’s superior execution on both ends of the court. No one on the Mavericks' roster has been able to keep up with the Celtics' players, revealing that the team’s reputation as a defensive unit was merely a mirage.
It's undeniable that Luka Doncic is an incredibly gifted offensive player. However, his defensive ineptitude in this series can no longer be overlooked, especially in the critical moments of the playoffs. Unlike stars such as Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic, who have managed to improve defensively despite their heavy offensive burdens, Doncic has shown little to no improvement. His supporters may have dramatized any minor defensive improvement, but the fact remains that his approach to defense has been subpar. Doncic has been a net negative on defense this series, effectively putting the Mavericks at a disadvantage.
Considering comparables like Trae Young and Damian Lillard, also noted for their defensive struggles, Doncic is often seen in a better light; yet, here, that aspect of his game has been impossible to ignore. The Mavericks need Doncic to show at least modest improvement on defense, not elite performance, but merely enough to not be a liability. Sadly, this hasn't been the case, and it has cost Dallas dearly.
In conclusion, the Mavericks' chances in this series appear bleak. With Boston leading 3-0, the series is effectively over for Dallas. The defensive gap between these two teams has been made painfully clear, and unless some miraculous changes occur, it spells the end of the road for the Mavericks this postseason.