Despite having the Dallas Mavericks' backs against the wall, Luka Doncic is not unfazed.
First to four, as he always says, but the Dallas Mavericks need to win now or else their season is going to end.
“It’s not over till it’s over. We just got to believe,” Doncic said after a crushing 106-99 Game 3 Mavericks defeat that put Dallas in a 0-3 hole against the mighty Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.
The Slovenian superstar finished with 27 points, six assists, and six rebounds but fouled out with 4:12 remaining down the stretch... just as Dallas was in the middle of a roaring comeback after trailing by 21 points early in the fourth.
Luka Doncic is fouled out with a blocking foul against Jaylen Brown on this play.
— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) June 13, 2024
It's his first time being fouled out this season.pic.twitter.com/cUroS5et73
Doncic didn’t hold back his emotions after the game.
“We could not play physical. I don’t want to say nothing but six fouls in the NBA Finals where I’m basically [standing] like this. Come on, man. [Be] better than that.”
Luka Doncic was frustrated when discussing the referees & his 6 fouls in Game 3:
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) June 13, 2024
“We couldn’t play physical, so... I don’t wan to say nothing, but, 6 fouls in the NBA Finals when I’m like this (arms extended)? Cmon, man. Be better than that.”
Thoughts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Xh8A8OjmCt
It was the first time that this year’s MVP finalist fouled out after 46 career playoff games, and just the third time in his NBA career.
“We had a good chance. We were close. Just didn’t get it, I wish I was out there.”
[ALSO READ: Tatum, Brown send red-hot Celtics to brink of NBA title with gutsy Game 3 win over Mavericks]
But he wasn’t, and in order for the Mavs to win, Doncic can’t foul out. Not in the Finals. Not in a close game just like in Game 3
He’s too valuable, too indispensable.
Dallas head coach Jason Kidd echoes Luka’s frustration, but laments his superstar guard needs to play smarter on both ends.
"Yeah, he's definitely got a bull's eye on his chest. He's got to be able to guard and understand that we're there to protect him and help him if he does get beat, to play the game where he can rest on offense and let others carry the load."
Kidd also took note how the Mavericks will approach a must-win Game 4 to try and extend the series to a fifth game back in Boston. "You talk about playing Game 4, that's it... Just have to take it one possession at a time. Control what you can control, your effort and your energy. "
"You talk about playing Game 4, that's it... Just have to take it one possession at a time."
— NBA (@NBA) June 13, 2024
- Jason Kidd on trying to block out the narratives of a 3-0 deficit pic.twitter.com/LORT9RWIFl
Kyrie Irving, who led Dallas with 35 points in his best game of the NBA Finals yet, expects the squad to pull all the stops to keep their season alive.
“I’m just appreciative that we can get a chance to extend the series or our season tomorrow, just leave it all out there. It’s all about pride thing now. Just putting our best foot forward.”
"It's all about pride now, we need to put our best foot forward."
— NBA (@NBA) June 13, 2024
Kyrie and the Mavs are ready for Game 4 😤 pic.twitter.com/cUM4LMqTU4
Game 4 of the NBA Finals will be held on Saturday, June 15, at 8:30 a.m. It will be aired LIVE on One Sports, NBA TV Philippines, RPTV, and the Pilipinas Live app.
