Luka Doncic feels like he’s ‘letting Kyrie Irving down’ following Game 4 loss to Clippers, after Mavs’ second option scored 40 points despite 116-111 defeat to Los Angeles
- Luka Doncic scored a 29-point triple-double as the Mavs lost 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 ‘late’ [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, with 40 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Doncic posted a 29-10-10 triple-double.
However, the MVP finalist – who is dealing with a knee injury – was apparently dissatisfied with his performance after the match, which tied the series at 2-2.
“I just have to help him more,” Doncic told reporters, speaking about his teammate Irving.
‘I feel like I’m letting him down, so I have to be there. I need to help him more. He’s given everything he’s got, and he’s been great for us throughout the series.”
Luka Doncic said after the Mavs’ loss on Sunday that he needs to help Kyrie Irving more
Irving had 40 points for the Mavericks as they nearly completed a 31-point comeback
In four games this postseason, Irving is averaging 28.8 points, while Doncic is scoring slightly more: 29.0 per game.
However, Doncic struggled mightily on defense in Game 4, as the Clippers were 8-15 from the floor with him as the key defender, according to ESPN Statistics and Information Research.
Doncic injured his right knee in Game 3 and has reportedly been dealing with stiffness and soreness since.
“Obviously it hurts, but it’s no excuse, man,” he said. “I just came out and was a little sloppy, so I have to be a lot better than that.”
Doncic struggled on defense in Game 4 as James Harden erupted for a game-high 33 points
Harden drives past Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green during the first half of Game 4
The Mavs trailed by 31 in the second quarter, but clawed their way back and took the lead with 2:15 left in the game.
From that point on, however, the Clippers regained control and secured a crucial victory ahead of Game 5 in Los Angeles.
Irving said of Doncic: “He wants to play well and knowing he wants to have a bigger impact, even though he’s almost averaging a triple-double for the series, but we’re always critical of him and I think he’s always critical of is itself. ‘
Paul George and James Harden each scored 33 points in the win, while Kawhi Leonard was nursing a knee infection.