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“Frustrating for a Lot of Reasons, Not Just Basketball”: Mavs Star Luka Doncic Bemoans in Disbelief as Playoff Dreams Fizzle Out

Published 03/25/2023, 10:30 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

NBA superstar Luka Doncic has been in exceptional form throughout the season. However, the Dallas Mavericks are struggling massively despite Doncic’s performances and the blockbuster addition of superstar Kyrie Irving. The Mavs were in contention for a playoff spot in the Western Conference where multiple teams are fighting for the same. But the Mavs losing three straight games has come as a major blow to their ambitions. Notably, the loss against the Charlotte Hornets, one of the worst teams in the league, at home was shocking. Also, it has pushed the Mavs to the 11th spot.

The recent loss against the Hornets has put the Mavericks out of the play-in picture at the moment. The Mavs are now 11th with a 36-38 record. After the loss, Doncic made his feelings clear about the current situation of the team.

Luka Doncic vents his frustration

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Luka Doncic is ranked #5 in the NBA MVP race with his impressive displays. So, understandably, the Slovenian is frustrated about the team’s performance. After losing two straight close games, fans hoped the Dallas Mavericks would bounce back. However, the Mavs succumbed to a 117-109 defeat at home to the Charlotte Hornets. Doncic opened up about his disappointment during the post-game press conference.

He said, “It’s really frustrating. I think you can see it with me on the court. Sometimes I don’t feel it’s me. I’m just being out there. I used to have really fun smiling on court, but it’s just been so frustrating for a lot of reasons, not just basketball.”

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The four-time NBA All-Star looked very disappointed during the press conference. Doncic was recently fined $35k by the NBA after he gestured a money sign at the referees during the loss against the Golden State Warriors.

The home fans were not impressed

The only time the Mavs took the lead was when Doncic opened the scoring in the opening possession. The home crowd let their frustration known as they booed their team in the third quarter. Dallas rallied in the fourth quarter and cut the lead to one, but the Hornets then went on a 10-0 run and won the game. Luka had 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists.

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Head coach Jason Kidd criticized the team’s effort and said the boos were deserved. The Mavericks will now travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets again. Kyrie Irving talked about the lack of effort as well. Irving scored 18 points but struggled from the field making just 6 of 16 attempts. The fans will be hoping for a response on Sunday.

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Written by:

Bagavathi Eswaran

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Bagavathi Eswaran is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. He has been playing basketball since he was ten years old, and has followed the NBA for more than a decade now. After not being able to go pro, this former college player decided to give voice to his passion by writing on the sport, covering the NBA as well as other arenas of basketball.
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Edited by:

Pragya Vashisth