Doncic: “The problem now is defense”

The Dallas Mavericks fell 130-126 to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, and the problem for Dallas certainly wasn’t on offense. Luka Doncic led the Mavs with 34 points and co-star Kyrie Irving put up 30. It was not short on entertainment on either side. The Suns and Mavs have become something of rivals and now, with the addition of Irving to the Mavs and his former teammate Kevin Durant to the Suns, the rivalry just got more heated.

Battle of the superstars

A game with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on one side and Devin Booker and Kevin Durant on the other is sure to bring can’t-miss performances, and they did not disappoint. In the first three quarters alone, Booker and KD put up 30 points each.

“Those two guys are probably the best in the league,” said Doncic of Booker and Durant. “But I love it. It’s competitive.”

With just a minute left, the game was tied at 124. DeAndre Ayton put the Suns up and the Mavs answered right away with a Dwight Powell shot. Durant took it down the court with just 15 seconds left and took the ball over Tim Hardaway Jr.’s head to put the Suns back in the lead 128-126. Doncic had an opportunity to tie it up in the final secconds, but he missed an easy shot and then fouled Durant to extend the game. Booker then approached Doncic with some choice words and as they got in each others’ faces, both were given technical fouls.

“It’s fine, it’s just a competitive game, it’s all good,” said Doncic after the game. “Just next time don’t wait until it’s three seconds left to throw.”

The defense wasn’t terrible for Dallas, as they did nearly pull off a win, but it isn’t nearly as polished as the offense. “I think rebounding and defense has been our weak point,” said Doncic. “That’s the problem right now, our defense.”

Doncic dealing with thigh injury

Though he’s been playing through it, Doncic told reporters he’s been dealing with a thigh issue for the last week. “Today was the worst,” he said after the game. “When I try to shoot or jump, I feel like this leg is a little bit weaker. He said he and the trainers don’t know if the issue is just a bruise or if it’s a strain, but they don’t think it’s a contact injury.

Though Doncic downplayed the pain, he did acknowledge that it was affecting his play. He looked off against the Suns, going just 8-of-23 on field goals and 1-of-9 on threes. That last miss though, Doncic said was just a bad shot and didn’t use the injury as an excuse.

“No, no. I just missed that one,” Doncic said. “I thought it was in, but I just missed it. One of my friends texted me saying ‘I would have even made that.’”