Luka Doncic's frustration was palpable as he protested his sixth foul, gesturing toward the officials and then imploring the Mavericks' bench to challenge the call. Despite his efforts, the challenge proved unsuccessful, and Doncic found himself benched for the crucial final minutes of Game 3 against the Boston Celtics.
Dallas, trailing by 21 points early in the fourth quarter, made a valiant effort to close the gap but fell short in a 106-99 loss, putting them on the brink of a series sweep by the Celtics. Doncic's disqualification came at a critical juncture, with the Mavericks rallying within three points before his exit.
Facing his first-ever playoff disqualification after 48 games, Doncic expressed frustration with the officiating, particularly in the fourth quarter, where he was called for four fouls. Despite his 27-point performance, he lamented the impact of the fouls on the game's outcome.
Moreover, Doncic faced defensive pressure from the Celtics, who relentlessly targeted him, aware of his injury struggles. With a thoracic contusion and a sprained right knee, Doncic was exploited defensively, allowing Boston to score effectively while also limiting his offensive output.
Kyrie Irving's resurgence with 35 points boosted the Mavericks, but their lack of scoring depth became apparent as the rest of the team managed only 37 points combined. Doncic's absence in the critical moments of the game further highlighted the team's dependence on him.
With a daunting 0-156 historical deficit facing them, Doncic and the Mavericks remain determined to fight on, believing in their ability to defy the odds and turn the series around, despite the overwhelming challenge ahead.
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