Tragically reversed, Doncic became a "sinner"
In the game on May 14, Beijing time, the Dallas Mavericks were reversed by the Oklahoma City Thunder 96-100 at home. The series was tied at 2-2. However, the biggest topic of the game was undoubtedly the performance of the Mavericks' core player Luka Doncic and his mistakes at key moments.
Doncic was visibly hampered by injuries in the game, and despite his insistence, he shot just 6-of-20 from the field and just 2-of-9 from three-point range, especially missing a crucial free throw 10 seconds before the end of the game and missing the chance to equalize. After the game, Doncic became the focus of fans and media for his poor performance and missed key free throws, which was considered by many to be the main reason for the team's loss.
Continued injury and poor performance
In this series, Doncic has been closely "cared for" by the Thunder players. Before the game, NBA officials released a video recording the Thunder's multiple foul moves against Doncic, including flying knee impacts, elbow strikes, air falls, and kicks. Doncic said after the G3 game that he was in pain all over his body, and those injuries obviously affected his game.
Despite his poor physical condition, Doncic decided to play with an injury. However, his movement was visibly affected, leading to overall inefficiency. In the first quarter of the game, he clutched his chest as he was substituted, his expression painful and visibly unwell. This scene has Mavericks fans very worried, wondering if his injury has reached the point where it is difficult to continue playing.
The start was unfavorable, and the Thunder defended toughly
At the beginning of the game, Doncic didn't feel good, shooting 2 of 7 in the first quarter, 1 of 4 three-point shots, and only got 7 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. The Thunder defended him extremely tightly, especially Dort, who repeatedly played tough against Doncic. In the second quarter, Doncic made a difficult step-back three-pointer, but the overall shooting percentage was still not high, shooting 2-of-6 and 1-of-2 from three-point range.
Doncic was also picked up by Dort in the second quarter, but the referee didn't blow for a foul. The decision caused displeasure among Mavericks fans, who felt that the referees did not protect Doncic enough. In the halftime of the game, Doncic's data was 4 of 13 shots, 2 of 6 three-point shots, 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block, and the shooting rate was still sluggish.
The halftime adjustment was ineffective, and the Thunder fought back strongly
Entering the second half, the Mavericks tried to improve Doncic's play through tactical adjustments, but the effect was not obvious. In the third quarter, Doncic was strongly opposed by Dort every time he received the ball, and he shot 0 of 2 in a single quarter and was completely restricted. The Thunder's defensive strategy clearly worked, and Doncic's offensive efficiency continued to decline.
At the beginning of the final quarter, Doncic helped the team score with his back-to-back and mid-range shots, and assisted Jones to complete a dunk. However, the Thunder quickly counterattacked, and SGA scored consecutive points and sent assists to help the Thunder play a wave of 16-5 climax and successfully overtake the score. In the final moments of the game, Doncic had two free throws, but missed a good chance to equalize with one of two free throws.
The audience was inefficient and saddled with the infamy of "sinners".
In the whole game, Doncic played 42 minutes, shooting 6 of 20, 2 of 9 three-pointers, scoring 18 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals and 1 block, but also had 7 turnovers, shooting only 30% from the field and 22.2% from three-point range. Such a performance obviously failed to reach his usual level, especially the mistakes at critical moments, which made him bear the infamy of "sinner".
Doncic became a hot topic of discussion in the United States after the game, with many fans and media blaming him for the Mavericks' loss. Such public pressure has undoubtedly had a great impact on Doncic's psychology, and his injury problem has also become the focus of everyone's attention.
Controversy continues, and the future is in doubt
Doncic's performance in this game sparked widespread controversy. Some believe that Doncic, the heart of the team, should step up in crunch time, but his performance has been disappointing. Others believe that Doncic has played with an injury and has done his best, and he should not be blamed for the team's loss.
The Mavericks' next game will be on the road, and the series has entered a critical phase. Doncic's form and the team's adjustments will determine the direction of the game. Regardless, Doncic's performance and injury issues will be key factors in future games, and how the team responds to these challenges will have a direct impact on whether they can go further.
Conclusion: What does Doncic's future hold?
After this game, the discussion about Doncic did not subside. As the heart of the Mavericks, he carried the hope of the team on his shoulders, but the double pressure of injuries and public opinion put him on the cusp. In future games, whether Doncic can get rid of injury troubles and regain his form will be the key to determining the fate of the Mavericks.
For Doncic himself, he'll need to find a balance under pressure to get fit and prove his worth in the game. Whether the Mavericks can succeed in this series, Doncic is undoubtedly the most important variable. Regardless of the outcome, this series will be an important chapter in his career and will have a profound impact on his future.