By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic took the blame for the overtime loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder Wednesday.
“This game is on me. Stupid decisions by me in the last two possessions,” he mentioned referring to the closing plays of the fourth quarter, “By far, my worst defensive game this year.”
Doncic, 22, fell one point shy of his season-high in the 2021-22 Regular Season logging 40 points in the losing effort. He produced ten assists, six rebounds, and three steals as well. However, he became his own worst critic focusing on the lack of composure in key moments. Still, he had the chance to salvage the win at the end of regulation.
“It was a tie game. I expected a double. There was not much time left, so I decided to do the step-back,” the Slovenian superstar walked through his last-second effort, “Obviously, it was a bad decision.”
The Thunder, backed by Lu Dort pouring 14 straight points, never trailed in the extra period.
“We give Luka the ball and give him the opportunity to make a decision,” added head coach Jason Kidd, “He had a good look. He’s our best player. We trust that he’ll get a good look and he did. He makes that shot. He got a clean look.”
The Mavericks, considering Latvian Kristaps Porzingis (right knee) day-to-day, fell to 29-23 to start a six-game homestand. Next up, the Philadelphia 76ers Friday. They currently sit fifth in the Western Conference standings, half a game ahead of the Denver Nuggets and a couple of games behind the Utah Jazz.
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