Critical Moments Define Game 3
Luka Doncic fouled out of Game 3 with 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, a moment that significantly impacted the Dallas Mavericks' chances. Doncic fouled out while trying to play defense, a critical juncture as the Mavericks were making a comeback from being down 21 points. Doncic attempted to slide in front of Jaylen Brown for a charge, but he didn’t get set in time. The whistle blew, and the play went to replay. Ultimately, the call was upheld. Doncic was gone, and the Mavericks were trailing by three, a deficit they could not overcome as they lost the game 106-99. Boston now holds a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Defensive Struggles Continue for Doncic
The call was very close and wouldn’t have been surprising if it had been overturned. However, Doncic fouled out while defending, which is ironic given his defensive struggles in this series. In Game 2 alone, Doncic was "blown by" 13 times, the most instances by a single defender in the last ten postseasons. Doncic's slow feet and weak lateral movement have been a detriment to his team's defensive efforts.
While Doncic has excelled offensively against Jayson Tatum, the disparity on the defensive end has been stark. Tatum has put in the effort defensively, whereas Doncic has not. Doncic’s lack of commitment to defense, instead seemingly waiting for his offensive opportunities, has been particularly noticeable. His defensive effort in the NBA Finals has been lamentable.
An Inexcusable Defensive Performance
Doncic's sternum injury is not a valid excuse for his poor performance. He has never been recognized as a good defender, and any improvements in his defensive abilities have been exaggerated by his supporters. In this series, Doncic has been a liability on defense, causing the Mavericks to essentially play four against five. Boston has exploited Doncic’s deficiencies, dominating the paint and generating open three-point opportunities.
Kyrie Irving, also not known for his defense, further complicates matters for Dallas. Comparisons have been made between Doncic's defensive efforts and those of James Harden, known for his lackluster defense. Doncic has consistently been out of position, such as when he failed to guard sharpshooter Sam Hauser or when he pointed to the opposite side of the court in a comical display of unawareness.
Doncic failed to be in position to help when Brown rejected a screen multiple times, offering bumbling shuffles in Brown’s direction before giving up entirely. Multiple Mavericks had to converge on Brown due to Doncic’s breakdowns. Doncic's transition defense has also been problematic, often staying on the ground and complaining to referees while the Celtics walked into open three-pointers due to his lack of effort.
A Team-Wide Defensive Collapse
It’s important to note that the defensive gap can't be blamed solely on Doncic. Nobody on the Mavericks has been able to keep up with the Celtics, revealing their reputation as a defensive team to be somewhat of a mirage. However, Doncic’s defensive ineptitude in this series is glaring. While Doncic is undeniably a gifted offensive player, his defense is impossible to overlook, especially in the grueling environment of the playoffs.
Doncic is not being asked to become an elite defender but to show modest improvement. Players like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic have transitioned into fine defenders despite their offensive responsibilities. In contrast, Trae Young and Damian Lillard, long considered defensive liabilities, have shown the detrimental effects of poor defense on a team’s success. Doncic is better than both Young and Lillard, yet his defensive performance has been a significant factor in this series.
The End of the Line for the Mavericks
The series is effectively over for the Mavericks. Boston now holds a 3-0 lead and has outclassed Dallas by a wide margin. While Doncic’s offensive talents are beyond reproach, his defensive deficiencies have been laid bare in stark detail. The Mavericks need more than just offensive prowess from Doncic; they need at least a commitment to defense, something that has been markedly absent in this series.
As one commentator put it, "There are players who play defense and players who wait to play offense, and Doncic is a disinterested portrait of the latter." Given the brutal reality of playoff basketball, the Mavericks' hopes now lie buried beneath Doncic’s defensive shortcomings. The sternum injury, the excuses, and the defensive liabilities—all of it contributes to the grim reality that the Mavericks face a swift exit from the series. And with Boston perched on the edge of a sweep, it’s clear that Doncic’s defensive effort, or lack thereof, has been a decisive factor.