In a closely contested Game 4 at the American Airlines Center, the Dallas Mavericks fell short to the Oklahoma City Thunder with a final score of 100-96. This defeat has not only evened the series but also intensified the scrutiny on Mavericks’ superstar Luka Doncic. Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins did bounce back from criticism of Doncic, taking to X/Twitter to express his discontent with the Slovenian’s postseason performance.
Doncic, who has set high standards with his stellar play in previous seasons, managed a triple-double in the game, scoring 18 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists. However, his shooting woes were evident as he went 6-for-20 from the field and a disappointing 2-for-9 from beyond the arc. Kendrick Perkins, known for his forthright commentary, lambasted Doncic, stating, “Luka has been HORRIBLE this entire postseason.”
This bounce back from criticism comes amid a noticeable dip in Doncic’s playoff performance. Averaging 26.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game in the 2024 NBA playoffs, Doncic’s numbers have fallen from his previous postseason averages of 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game. Over the last five games, his scoring has further dipped to 23.2 points per game, though he has maintained averages of 10.0 rebounds and 8.8 assists.
In the post-game press conference, Doncic admitted to battling a sore frame, acknowledging the physical toll of the playoffs. He has been playing through injuries, which were aggravated by the Thunder’s physical defense in Game 3. Despite the pain and the challenges, Doncic remains focused on the ultimate goal of winning the series.
“Everything, man… In the last play, when I split two defenders, obviously nobody touched me. Hurt my knee again. But just trying to battle out there, man. We gotta win. That’s all that matters,” Doncic commented. He was referring to a critical turnover he committed with 12 seconds left in the fourth quarter. While trying to split the Thunder defense, Doncic was trapped between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, leading to a costly mistake.
Despite these hurdles, the Mavericks narrowly escaped a more significant defeat thanks to a clutch performance from Irving in the previous game. As the series now shifts back to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, the Mavericks face a pivotal challenge. With the series tied, Doncic and his team need to secure two more victories to advance.
Journalistically, this situation highlights the pressures faced by star athletes during the playoffs. Doncic’s current struggles, juxtaposed with his usual brilliance, underscore the unpredictability and intensity of postseason basketball. The Mavericks will need their leader to regain his form to fend off the surging Thunder and continue their quest for an NBA title. As fans and analysts alike dissect every play and performance, the narrative surrounding Luka Doncic and his ability to lead Dallas through adversity remains one of the most compelling storylines of this year’s playoffs.
Comments