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Luka Doncic is one of the best players in the league, as his offensive prowess has earned him the right to be considered part of the elite group. However, his defense is consistently a point of contention for his critics, and he gave them more reason to doubt him on Thursday night.
The Mavericks lost to the Jazz on a final-possession play where Doncic was at the center of a Dallas defensive breakdown. The mistake was especially brutal because it extended the Mavericks' losing streak to four games.
The Sporting News examines Doncic's miscue that lost Dallas the game.
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What did Luka Doncic do?
In a tie game with under 10 seconds left, Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson found John Collins under the basket for the game-winning dunk.
In the play, Doncic looked like he was supposed to be guarding Collins but completely lost the high-flyer in the paint to allow the basket.
— NBA (@NBA) November 15, 2024After the game, Doncic took full accountability, saying he didn't communicate with his team well enough.
"That was a misunderstanding. I thought I was gonna go hit and [Quentin] Grimes thought he was gonna go hit," Doncic said. "We misunderstood the bench. That's on me."
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 15, 2024However, that didn't stop people from criticizing Doncic, including someone who used to work for the franchise.
When I was with the Mavs I always found it weird how one of the least focussed defenders in the league is left not subbed out for single, potentially game-ending defensive possessions
Can't run the risk of upsetting him though! https://t.co/xIcEuVtasv
This might just be nothing but reading tea leaves,
But, last year, Dallas had a group of guys that stoically played defense around Luka, no matter his effort level
Now, I see a lots of head-shaking and hands thrown in the air
Something to keep an eye onhttps://t.co/vQZzcXvTP7
Luka Doncic is the worst superstar defender in the league, lost them the game. Let's talk about it pic.twitter.com/dV5hpzXfEP
— Russ' TD ⚡ (@RussFcb) November 15, 2024Luka is following up the most embarrassing defensive performance in the history of the NBA Finals with an equally embarrassing start to the 2024/25 campaign.
He needs to show some PRIDE on that end of the floor. Finding opportunity to rest is one thing. Mailing it in is another. https://t.co/FD00srzHfa
Luka plays the WORST brand of basketball. Not even trying whatsoever on defense vs the worst team in the league in a conference where every win is so crucial. Looking at both refs and throwing his hands up after Sexton makes the shot. He complains to the refs EVERY posession even… pic.twitter.com/tuO9wehib4
— KlawWrld (@kawhi_ring) November 15, 2024The defensive miscue tainted another strong offensive night for Doncic, as he totaled 37 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
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Mavericks record
With the loss, Dallas falls to 5-7 on the season and has now lost each of its last four games despite Doncic averaging 30.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists.
While it is still very early in the NBA season, the defending Western Conference champions are currently out of the playoff picture — there are just three teams with a worse record in the conference, one of which is the Jazz.
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