Steve Kerr sends honest message about Warriors after Luka Doncic rips them to shreds
Steve Kerr tried different defensive strategies but Luka Doncic continued to flourish in the Dallas Mavericks’ 143-133 win over the Golden State Warriors. Doncic had a triple-double in 26 minutes, finishing with 45 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds. Doncic’s performance was arguably the best an opponent played against the Dubs this season.
Steve Kerr remains confident about his team despite their recent slide and Doncic's sizzling performance:
“We’ve lost 8 out of 10 and there’s zero quit. There’s some disappointment, but there’s zero quit. We’re gonna climb out of this because of the character and the competitiveness of our guys.”
Kerr had this to say when asked by a reporter about the Warriors’ performance on defense:
“The issue was Luka Doncic. That was the issue. I think they made their first nine shots and I think he made three of them and three more assists. He was incredible. Give them credit, give Dallas credit. They’ve got a hell of a team.”
Doncic did his damage early and often. He began with an assist to PJ Washington before scoring the Dallas Mavericks’ next 10 points. Kyrie Irving’s first basket came off another nifty pass from the Slovenian. Dallas’ final basket in the opening quarter by Quentin Grimes came off another Doncic dime.
Steve Kerr assigned Andrew Wiggins to start on Luka Doncic. Gary Payton II had his turn to open the second quarter, while Brandin Poziemski also had his fair share guarding Doncic. Kerr finally put Draymond Green on the MVP candidate in the second half before Jonathan Kuminga took over.
Kerr’s strategies did not pay off as the Luka Doncic issue persisted. The Dallas Mavericks superstar had 41 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists heading into the fourth quarter. Doncic had played only 26 minutes before the final frame.
Luka Doncic’s 45-point triple-double forced Steve Kerr’s Warriors to surrender 143 points
Before Sunday’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks, the most points surrendered by the Golden State Warriors this season was 136 in the loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 8. In their last defeat on Wednesday against the Houston Rockets, they allowed Houston 91 points.
Luka Doncic got his teammates involved in scoring 143 points on the Warriors. He helped Klay Thompson have his best game of the season. The former Warrior scattered 29 points, 13 in the fourth quarter. Doncic handed four assists to Thompson, three of which led to 3-pointers.
PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford contributed to the scoring with a little help from the five-time All-Star.