"We couldn't play physical" - Luka Doncic criticizes referees for contentious sixth foul call
Luka Doncic fouled out in the fourth quarter as the Dallas Mavericks fell to a 0-3 deficit after losing Game 3 against the Boston Celtics, 106-99, a hole no team in NBA history has ever escaped. It was the first time Doncic fouled out in a playoff game in his career.
The foul occurred while Luka Doncic was defending a driving Jaylen Brown. As he tried to stop Brown, he was called for his sixth foul, disqualifying him from the game with 4:12 remaining.
After the game, Doncic criticized the referees, claiming they hindered the Mavericks' ability to play physical defense.
“We couldn't play physical. I don't know. I don't want to say nothing. You know, six fouls in the NBA Finals,” Doncic said.
Holding his palms up, he added:
“Basically, I'm like this. C'mon, man. [Be] better than that.”
This was only the third time Doncic fouled out in his career. The first instance was in July 2020 against the Houston Rockets, where he logged a 28-point triple-double in 42 minutes. The second was in October 2022 against the OKC Thunder, when he recorded a 31-point triple-double in 40 minutes.
Boston was leading 93-90 when Doncic fouled out. The Mavericks were outscored 13-9 the rest of the way, with Kyrie Irving leading the offense without his usual partner.
Luka Doncic as Mavericks fall to 0-3: “We just gotta believe”
Losing Game 3 was significant, as no team in NBA history has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit. However, Luka Doncic remains hopeful.
“It’s not over until it’s over, so we just gotta believe,” he said.
All 156 teams in NBA history that trailed 0-3 in a series have never managed to upset their opponents.
Kyrie Irving scored a personal high of 35 points in the 2024 NBA Finals, while Doncic scored his lowest of the series with 27 points, along with six rebounds and six assists.
Only PJ Washington (13 points, eight rebounds) and Dereck Lively II (11 points, 13 rebounds) also reached double digits for the Mavericks, who made nine of their 25 attempts from beyond the arc.
The Boston Celtics converted 17 of their 46 three-point attempts and were led by Jayson Tatum with 31 points, six rebounds and five assists, and Jaylen Brown with 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
Derrick White, who hit a clutch three-pointer to thwart the Mavericks' comeback attempt, finished with 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks.