BREAKING: Luka Doncic reacts to Mavericks’ slow start to NBA season
|BREAKING: Luka Doncic reacts to Mavericks’ slow start to NBA season | SportsRation
Luka Doncic reacts to Mavericksโ slow start to NBA season
Following a 3-2 start to their NBA season, the Dallas Mavericksโ recent loss to the Houston Rockets has left star player Luka Doncic reflecting on his performance and its impact on the team.
In the post-game press conference, Doncic took accountability for the Mavericksโ sluggish start, particularly in the first quarter, which ended 21-34. โThatโs on me,โ Doncic admitted. โI started pretty bad, so Iโll take the blame because I gotta do better than that. I know I can do it; I just have to focus and play my game.โ
Doncic, who missed the preseason, cited his current physical condition as a factor in his performance. โI didnโt have preseason, so Iโm just trying to get back into my rhythm,โ he explained. Despite the setback, he struck an optimistic tone, saying, โIn the fourth quarter, I felt a little bit like myself. Thatโs always a good thing. But obviously, we didnโt win; it wasnโt good enough.โ
While taking responsibility, Doncic still put up an impressive 29 points in 38 minutes, outscoring everyone on the court. His backcourt teammate, Kyrie Irving, also contributed with 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, keeping the Mavericks in contention until the final moments.
The Mavericks will look to regroup over the weekend as they prepare to host the Orlando Magic on Sunday and the Indiana Pacers on Monday at the American Airlines Center. Coach Jason Kidd will be counting on Doncic and the team to find their rhythm and build momentum as they push for a strong season start.