Luka Doncic Claims How Referee’s Decisions Affected Mavs’ Performance in Game 3

Luka Doncic fouled out in the fourth quarter, sending the Mavericks to a 0-3 disadvantage. It was Doncic’s first-ever foul-out in a postseason match. The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-99 in Game 3, a margin from which no team in NBA history has ever recovered.

Luka Doncic committed a foul while stopping Jaylen Brown, a driver. With 4:12 left in the game, he was penalized for his sixth foul while attempting to stop Brown, which resulted in his disqualification.

Doncic said the refs made it harder for the Mavericks to play physical defense after the game.

Doncic said: “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). C’mon, man. Better than that.”

Luka Doncic has only fouled out three times in his career. In July 2020, he had a 28-point triple-double in 42 minutes against the Houston Rockets, which was the first occurrence of it happening. The second came in October 2022, when he played 40 minutes and scored 31 points in a triple-double against the OKC Thunder.

Doncic fouled out with Boston up 93-90. The Mavericks were outscored 13-9 for the remainder of the game, with Kyrie Irving spearheading the attack without his regular companion.

“We Just Gotta Believe”- Luka Doncic Reflects After Mavs Are 0–3 Down

Since no club in NBA history has ever overcome a 0–3 hole, losing Game 3 was noteworthy. Luka Doncic, though, has optimism. In NBA history, 156 teams have trailed 0–3 in a series but have never overcome their opponents.

Kyrie Irving recorded a personal best of 35 points in the 2024 NBA Finals, while Doncic scored his lowest of the series with 27 points, six rebounds, and six assists.

Luka Doncic said: “It’s not over until it’s over, so we just gotta believe,”

The only Mavericks players to score in double figures were PJ Washington (13 points, eight rebounds) and Dereck Lively II (11 points, 13 rebounds). The Mavericks hit nine of their twenty-five tries from beyond the arc.

With 31 points, six rebounds, and five assists from Jayson Tatum and 30 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists from Jaylen Brown, the Boston Celtics made 17 of their 46 three-point attempts.