After a dramatic Game 4 in which the Dallas Mavericks nearly erased a 31-point deficit only to fall short in the final minutes in a 116-111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, the focus has shifted to Luka Doncic‘s health concerns as the first-round NBA playoff series continues.
Doncic made a concerning comment about his right knee soreness injury that made him a game-time decision before being upgraded to available.
“It’s hurting, obviously, but that shouldn’t be an excuse,” Doncic said. “Just came out a little sloppy, so we got to do way better than that.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Despite a resilient performance, in which he notched a triple-double with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, Doncic was visibly struggling with his mobility throughout the game. His physical discomfort impacted his shooting efficiency and defensive capabilities, especially as he went just 1 of 9 from beyond the arc.
Throughout the series, Doncic has averaged 29.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists. Still, his shooting efficiency has dipped significantly to only 38.6 percent from the floor and 26.5 percent from the perimeter, with an average of 3.8 turnovers per game.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Kyrie Irving, who stepped up with 40 points in Game 4 to lead the Mavericks’ comeback effort, also acknowledged Doncic’s challenges.
“He’s giving everything he has and he’s been amazing for us the whole series,” Irving said, underscoring the gravity of Doncic’s health on the team’s playoff aspirations.
The Clippers capitalized on Doncic’s limited mobility, with stars Paul George and James Harden exploiting matchups and contributing significantly to their team’s victory. George tallied 26 points in the first half alone, while Harden added crucial points in the fourth quarter, ensuring the Clippers held their ground against the Mavericks’ fierce rally.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd noted the strategic adjustments needed to counter the Clippers’ sharpshooting, especially from the perimeter.
“Living with 2s in this league doesn’t hurt you but 3s kill you – and 3s killed us this afternoon,” Kidd explained.
As the series shifts back to Los Angeles for Game 5, the Mavericks face the dual challenge of regrouping strategically and managing Doncic’s health. With the series now a best-of-three, every game counts, and Dallas will need Doncic in better health to reclaim the advantage with two days off at his disposal.
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