DALLAS — Entering Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Mavericks star Luka Doncic had fouled out three times in his career.
Now, make it four.
Doncic was disqualified Wednesday after earning his sixth foul while attempting to take a charge with 4:12 left in the Celtics’ 106-99 win in Game 3. He finished with 27 points, six assists and six rebounds, before his teammates completed Dallas’ fall into a 3-0 series deficit. Doncic appeared to point the finger at the officials post-game for his early exit.
“We couldn’t play physical. I don’t know. I don’t want to say nothing. You know, six fouls in the NBA Finals, basically I’m like this (motions with palms out),” he said. “C’mon, man. (Be) better than that.”
Doncic has always been known for whining to the referees, something that has continued throughout the Finals. In this series, he is also battling injuries to his ankles and knees, plus a new thoracic contusion. Though, those injuries haven’t stopped him from being effective, or powering the Mavericks to close finishes in Games 2 and 3.
Jaylen Brown credited Doncic post-game, instead of explaining what he sees from Dallas’ superstar, who’s scored just eight points in the fourth quarter all series.
“Luka is a great player. I’m going to start by saying that. He does a lot for their team,” Brown said. “Offensively has the ball in his hands a lot. It’s a tough lift for him. He’s been tough. Even with that fourth quarter, those stats, he’s still been able to pretty much get to whatever he wants. So we’ve just got to continue to be better, and that’s all I could really say.”
