Luka Doncic Powers Mavericks to Crucial Game 4 Win, Silencing Critics Amidst intense scrutiny and criticism following his subpar performance in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Luka Doncic responded with a resounding statement in Game 4. The Slovenian sensation led the Dallas Mavericks to a 119-109 victory, keeping their championship hopes alive. Doncic, who had been criticized for his inefficiency and turnovers in the previous game, silenced his detractors with a masterful display on both ends of the floor. He finished with a triple-double: 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists. “I know a lot of people were talking bad about me,” Doncic said postgame. “But I’m going to keep playing my game. I have confidence in myself and my teammates.” In the first half, Doncic asserted his dominance in the paint, scoring 15 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. He also dished out 5 assists, setting up open shots for his teammates. The Mavericks entered the second half with a 58-51 lead, but the Golden State Warriors rallied to tie the game in the third quarter. Doncic, however, responded with a flurry of baskets, including a pair of three-pointers, to give Dallas some breathing room. In the fourth quarter, Doncic played with the poise of a seasoned veteran. He calmly drained free throws and made key defensive plays to help the Mavericks secure the win. Doncic’s performance was particularly impressive considering the Warriors’ exceptional defensive game plan. The Warriors had doubled and tripled Doncic throughout the night, but the 23-year-old showed his ability to create shots and find open teammates. “Luka is a special player,” said Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd. “He’s so tough to guard. He can score, rebound, pass. He’s a complete player.” With the win, the Mavericks have tied the series 2-2. Game 5 will be played on Monday in San Francisco. Doncic’s performance in Game 4 has given the Mavericks a newfound confidence that they can win the championship. “We’re not going to quit,” Doncic said. “We’re going to keep fighting until the end.”# Mavericks Coach Defends Luka Doncic, Who Responds With Dominant Game 4 Performance# Mavericks Coach Defends Luka Doncic, Who Responds With Dominant Game 4 Performance Tim MacMahon, ESPN Writer Published: June 15, 2024, 01:37 am ET DALLAS — Mavericks coach Jason Kidd passionately defended his 25-year-old superstar ahead of Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday, saying that some of the burning criticism of Luka Doncic over the previous few days had been “a little too much…far.” Doncic responded in the best way possible, turning in a dominant, balanced performance to lead the Mavericks to a season-extending 122-84 victory, preventing the Boston Celtics from celebrating their record 18th championship on the American Airlines Center court. “I think it made some people eat their words in a healthy way,” Mavericks co-star Kyrie Irving said. Doncic finished with 29 points and 5 assists in 33 minutes, resting the entire fourth quarter along with the rest of the starters on both sides in the third most even game in the history of the Finals. He scored 22 points in the paint, more than all the Celtics combined in the three quarters he played. But Doncic’s offensive brilliance has never been in doubt. Criticism in the wake of Doncic’s foul with 4:12 left in a Game 3 loss that put the Mavericks on the brink of elimination focused primarily on two facets of the game: his defense and his tendency to allow his concentration to be affected by his frustration with the refereeing. On the day between games, he publicly committed to significantly improving in both areas and he kept that promise. Doncic, as he did during his 31-point triple-double in the crucial Game 5 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round, made an effort to avoid complaining to the officiating crew on Friday. He channeled his energy into defensive efforts and enthusiastic interactions with his teammates. “We were focused, especially on the defense side,” said Doncic, who had the game’s best plus-minus at plus-30. “We played with pace. It helped them. I’m here to help them in any way I can. We just have to play like that.” Doncic, who had struggled as the Celtics relentlessly pursued him on defense through the first three games of the series, had by far his best performance of the Finals on that end of the floor. Doncic, who had taken pride in his defensive improvement throughout the season, forced four turnovers and limited the Celtics to 2 of 9 shooting as a primary defender, according to ESPN Stats & Information. “I think what you’re seeing is him just taking responsibility as best he can at this point in his life,” said Irving, who had 21 points and 6 assists to break his personal 13-game losing streak to his former team. “He’s a young person, he’s still trying to figure it out. I give him that grace. Also, we have to give him some tough love where we let him know and reiterate that you need to stay away from those (referees) a little bit. “I think those are lessons being learned. When he’s locked in like that, not paying attention to the referees, he’s a huge, impactful player for us and a great leader for us. We want him to stay consistent in that and not be too hard on himself.” Doncic’s relatively poor performance in Game 3, when he scored 27 points on 27 field goal attempts before fouling out, was an outlier in what has been a remarkable playoff run. He became the fourth player in NBA history with at least 600 points, 150 rebounds and 150 assists in a single postseason, joining Nikola Jokic, LeBron James and Larry Bird, according to ESPN Stats & Information. And Doncic isn’t done, as the Mavericks kept alive hopes of becoming the first of 157 teams to come back from a 3-0 deficit to win an NBA playoff series. “Like I said at the beginning of the series, it’s the first to four,” Doncic said. “We’re going to believe until the end. So we have to keep going. I firmly believe in this team that we can do it.”Doncic’s Stellar Performance Keeps Mavericks in Contention In the face of mounting criticism, Luka Doncic delivered a game-changing performance to keep the Dallas Mavericks alive in the NBA Finals. Facing a 3-0 deficit against the Golden State Warriors, Doncic exploded for 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists in Game 4. He led the Mavericks’ rally from a 13-point halftime deficit, scoring 14 crucial points in the third quarter. Doncic’s critics had questioned his leadership and inability to elevate his teammates in crucial moments. However, he silenced the doubters with a masterful display of skill and determination. “I just wanted to show that I can do it,” Doncic said postgame. “I wanted to show that I could lead this team and that we could win even when the odds were against us.” With the Mavericks now facing elimination in Game 5, Doncic’s performance has given them a glimmer of hope. He has proven that they can compete with the Warriors and that he is capable of carrying the team on his shoulders. “He’s our leader,” said Mavericks coach Jason Kidd. “He’s shown us what he’s made of tonight. He’s a special player, and we know he’s not going down without a fight.” The Warriors, however, remain confident in their ability to close out the series. Stephen Curry, who scored 20 points in Game 4, said they are not underestimating the Mavericks. “We know they’re a good team, and they’re going to come out fighting in Game 5,” Curry said. “But we’re ready for them. We’re confident in our game plan, and we’re going to finish this series on Thursday.” The decisive Game 5 of the NBA Finals will take place on Thursday night in San Francisco. The Mavericks will need another heroic performance from Doncic if they are to extend the series and give themselves a chance to win their first NBA championship.