- Luka Doncic had a 29-point triple-double in the Mavs’ loss to the Clippers
- The MVP finalist injured his knee in Game 3 and said it “hurt”
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Luka Doncic feels like he’s “letting (Kyrie Irving) down,” he said after the Mavs fell 116-111 to the Clippers in Game 4 of the first round.
Irving was spectacular in the loss, posting 40 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Doncic posted a 29-10-10 triple-double.
However, the MVP finalist, who is suffering from a knee injury, was apparently unhappy with his performance after the game, which tied the series at 2-2.
“I just have to help him more,” Doncic told reporters, speaking of teammate Irving.
‘I feel like I’m letting him down, so I have to be there. I have to help him more. He has given everything he has and has been incredible for us throughout the series.”
Luka Doncic said after the Mavs’ loss on Sunday that he needs to help Kyrie Irving more
Irving scored 40 points for the Mavericks who nearly completed a 31-point comeback.
In 4 games this postseason, Irving is averaging 28.8 points, while Doncic is scoring slightly more at 29.0 per game.
However, Doncic struggled mightily on defense in Game 4, as the Clippers went 8-15 from the floor with him as the primary defender, according to ESPN Statistics and Information Research.
Doncic injured his right knee in Game 3 and has reportedly struggled with stiffness and pain ever since.
“Obviously it hurts, but it shouldn’t be an excuse, man,” he said. “I just came out and a little sloppy, so I have to be a lot better than that.”
Doncic struggled on defense in Game 4 when James Harden erupted for a game-high 33 points.
Harden passes to Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green during the first half of Game 4
The Mavs trailed by 31 in the second quarter, but rallied and led with 2:15 left in the game.
From there, however, the Clippers regained control to earn a crucial victory heading into Game 5 in Los Angeles.
Irving said of Doncic: “He wants to play well and he knows he wants to make a bigger impact, even though he almost averaged a triple-double in the series, but we’re always critical of him and I think he’s always critical of himself.” ‘
Paul George and James Harden each scored 33 points in the win, while Kawhi Leonard sat out with knee inflammation.