Los Dallas Mavericks say goodbye to the playoffs of the NBA with a loss in the fifth game against the Golden State Warriors (120-110). It was not the day Luka Doncic, which said goodbye to the season with a certain bitter taste. Even so, the Slovenian was very proud of the team and how far they have been able to go.
Doncic had his worst first half of the season. He only made 2 of his 10 shots in the first quarter and didn’t score in the second. After the break he recovered, reacting with 15 points that made his team excited about a comeback that was not possible. Ten points separated the Mavs from the Warriors, who played with the trick that they had never before come back from a 3-0 series.
28 points (10 of 28 shooting, 3 of 13 triples), 9 rebounds and 6 assists was Doncic’s final balance. Luka was self-critical after the game: “I don’t like losing, especially like this. I’ve played terrible. But if we talk about our season, I’m very proud of this team,” he told the media.
“From everyone, from every player, from every member of the coaching staff. No one counted on us here. I promise you we fought to the end. Congratulations to the Warriors. Obviously, they were the best, but I’m really proud of this team.” .
The Mavs did not give for more, closing with this defeat a season in which an 11-year drought without stepping on the Conference Finals ended. Doncic, a born winner, could not help falling into despair at a certain point in the match. During a timeout he kicked a chair, leaving the image viral for the night.
Luka Doncic kicked a chair during time out.pic.twitter.com/Mp7ppaUSPn
— Sixth Man (@6toManLATAM) May 27, 2022
The Warriors reached their sixth Finals in the last eight years and will seek their fourth ring (after 2015, 2017 and 2018) after defeating the Mavericks 4-1 in the West final.
expectations rise
Beyond the disappointment of this loss, Doncic assured that these surprising Mavericks are walking “in the right direction.” “I think we’ve taken a very big step this season. Since December (17-18 balance sheet on the last day of the year) I think we’ve taken an incredible step,” he said of a team that finished fourth in the West with 52-30.
“For me it has been fun to play these playoffs. Before I had only been in the first round and it is very fun to play, especially when you win. I hope I come back here (…). From here you can only grow so let’s see how we respond to the next year,” he added.
The point guard pointed out that they have things to “learn” from “championship-winning” teams like the Warriors and, on an individual level, he pointed out that he has to work on his defense: “My defense has to be much better. Honestly, I think I’ve taken a huge step this year defensively, but there is a lot of room for improvement,” he said.
In a similar vein, Doncic praised the work of Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, who in his first year on the Texan bench commendably reinforced the team’s defense: “I’m very happy we signed him,” Doncic told the noting that he has “a great relationship” with Kidd.
[Más información: Stephen Curry logra su título de sociólogo: cuándo acaban las estrellas de la NBA la Universidad]
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