As Kyrie Irving said, no one feels 100 percent physically at this time of the NBA season.
For all the players who made it through the 82-game regular season and into the playoffs, the pain is constant.
Luka Doncic is proof of that.
After Sunday’s 116-111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 4, he acknowledged that the situation he’s dealing with isn’t “a perfect situation.”
The superstar point guard was expected to enter Game 4 with soreness in his right knee. It is a little known fact that he also suffered from coryza, which a large proportion of the general population suffers from these days.
“Obviously it hurts, but I can’t use that as an excuse,” he said of his knee. “I just came out a little sloppy tonight.”
Doncic made enough of an impact to complete a triple-double with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. However, he hit just 10-of-24 shots and 1-of-9 from 3-point range.
When asked if any illness was interfering with his energy or play, he replied: I’m trying to go out there and play and play minutes. Sometimes things aren’t perfect. We just have to do better. ”
Luka was responsible for the Mavericks’ slow start, trailing by 31 points in the second quarter, but the woes were clearly a team effort.
But what impressed Doncic was the support he received when it was clear the Mavericks were struggling to find momentum against the Clippers.
“We were down by 31 points, but we came back,” he said. “The fans were great. We were down by 31 points, but they continued to support us. But, especially me, we have to start playing better.”
He also witnessed Irving’s work leading the Mavericks back from the hole they dug, scoring 19 points in the second half of Friday’s Game 3 win and scoring 40 points in the final three quarters on Sunday.
“I had to help him more,” Doncic said. “I feel like I’m letting him down. I have to be there. He’s giving everything he’s got. He’s been great for us throughout the series.”
Doncic, on the other hand, led the NBA in scoring during the regular season with fewer than 34 points per game. His scoring in the four playoff games is down slightly (29 points per game). However, what is concerning is his shooting numbers (39 of 101).
However, the Mavericks were plus-32 when Doncic was on the court in the series.
And even though Luka was sick or physically hurt, Irving’s efforts were not lost.
“We don’t have time to look at each other and ask if we’re OK,” Irving said. “We have to be willing to put our bodies at risk. If he’s not feeling well, he’s definitely going to miss out.
“But knowing him and his confidence level and knowing how well he knows the Clippers, we know that even though he’s averaging almost a triple-double, he’s not going to play well.” I know I want to and I want to have a bigger impact than I do now.”
The challenge now facing Luka, Kyrie, and their teammates is to win one more game in Los Angeles. The series is tied for second place, and Games 5 and 7 will be played at Crypto.com Arena if necessary. Game 6 will be played Friday at American Airlines Center.
So what has to happen to get the ship right for Luka and his teammates?
“Play with energy,” he said. “We had two day games and struggled in both. We have to go out there and play hard for 48 minutes. We have to come in with the same energy we had in Games 2 and 3. It didn’t happen.
“Just go out there and have fun. When you’re having fun, that’s when you play your best.”
But as we all know, getting out and enjoying your work when you’re not feeling your best is easier said than done.
X: @ESefko