‘I used to have fun… I don’t feel like I’m the one on the outside’: Dejected Luka Doncic says problems in his private life are distracting his game for the Dallas Mavericks after Friday’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets
After the Mavericks fell to the Hornets on Friday night for their third straight loss, Luka Doncic cut a dejected figure at the postgame news conference, saying he’s been frustrated for “a lot of reasons,” including problems In his personal life.
Doncic’s 34 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists weren’t enough to prevent a 117-109 home loss, and the Slovenian star admitted he hadn’t been playing with such joy of late.
‘It’s really frustrating. I think you can see it with me on the court, ”he told reporters after the game.
“Sometimes I don’t feel like it’s me, I’m just out there. I used to have more fun, smiling on (the) court. But she’s been so frustrating for so many reasons, not just basketball.
When asked what was going on off the court, Doncic wouldn’t go into detail, but said there was “a lot going on.”
Luka Doncic and the Mavericks have fallen in the Western Conference standings
Doncic looked extremely dejected after the Mavs’ third straight loss on Friday night.
The star’s comments came after another disappointing result for the Mavs, who have endured a brutal march and could miss the postseason altogether.
With a 4-7 record this month, after ending February with three straight losses, Dallas fell to 11th in the West and now faces a fight to qualify for the entry tournament with eight games remaining.
This was not the way the Mavs envisioned their season going.
The team acquired Kyrie Irving in a trade on February 5, creating arguably the best offensive court in the league, but became a fringe playoff team at the time rather than a contender.
Since Irving’s debut on February 8, the team is 7-12, though it has missed five of those games.
