Luka Doncic say he feels like he let Kyrie Irving down after Mavs Game 4 loss to Clippers

Paul George and James Harden each scored 33 points while playing key fourth-quarter roles to help the Los Angeles Clippers hold on after blowing a 31-point lead and beat the Dallas Mavericks 116-111 on Sunday, evening the first-round series at 2-2.
The Clippers won again without Kawhi Leonard, who missed the series opener with right knee inflammation before playing in the two Dallas victories.
The teams have split a pair on each other's home court in the third Western Conference first-round meeting between them in the past five seasons. Game 5 is Wednesday night in Los Angeles.
Kyrie Irving scored 40 points for Dallas, including an acrobatic layup with 2:15 remaining for a 104-103 lead that was the first for the Mavericks since the middle of the first quarter.
FULL STORY: www.wfaa.com/article/sports/n...

[@cryptidian3530]

He's literally bleeding from his knee due to inflammation and still plays 40+ minutes every game and still had a near 30 point triple double, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and has played really good defense in all 4 games. He's doing his best.

[@i37no4z]

Is it from the bleeding injury against the Rockets?

[@user-ho8vu9yb4e]

And yet they say he doesn’t play defense smh

[@Ka1butsu]

​@@i37no4zhe had an injury early in game 3 and since he has been struggling a bit but he is still doing great for not being at 100%

[@ladysman00721]

@@i37no4zI was thinking this same thing

[@huxleybennett4732]

@@Ka1butsuHis knee’s been injured for weeks now, started way before the playoffs

[@mentalmadness2192]

Taking full accountability for himself, praises his teammates. Other superstars old and new should take notice.

[@cryptidian3530]

A certain Mr. James could learn a thing or two from Luka in that regard.

[@mentalmadness2192]

@@cryptidian3530 I didn't want to bring up names, but since you started: a certain Embiid or Doc River, too!

[@randypage26]

Hope Bron is watching

[@killerman9309]

@@randypage26that beeitch walking around his house smoking a cigar talking about how the 2016 finals win I think that one made me the greatest of all time 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@crizzleyo815]

@@cryptidian3530 when does lebron not praise teammates tho? man jr did the biggest mistake in sport history and lebron never said anything about it. its jsut at this point lebron haters need anything to hate

[@WhyYouMadd40]

I respect him for not coming with an excuse 💯

[@judahmourneth3211]

Nah, we’re going to leave that for his fan boys

[@WhyYouMadd40]

@@judahmourneth3211 exactly bc they love blaming the team for his shortcomings 💯

[@judahmourneth3211]

@@WhyYouMadd40 they’re all eating a slice of humble pie now crying about him being injured. Me personally I had clippers winning in 5. They’re just a better team, deeper team with a better bench.

[@WhyYouMadd40]

@@judahmourneth3211 I had mavs in 6 bc of Kyrie being there and he can’t be stopped but Luka is letting him down this series so far just chuckin up step back 3’s and play little to no defense

[@judahmourneth3211]

@@WhyYouMadd40 you think kyrie could offset the whole clippers??? That’s crazy

[@iceewicc]

Listening to this guy’s integrity, how can you not become a fan?

[@in2minutesorless64]

Wow. Luka's so humble ... giving Kyrie his props. Wonderful to see!!

[@KoolWRLD]

Its okay Luka! We love you man. We know you care and did your best. Just come back ready to play and show Kyrie on the court that he doesn't have to carry the load for half the game.

[@TysonFuryTheGOAT]

I'd prefer he take the next game off and come back strong for the G6 & G7.

[@gavinward8530]

@@TysonFuryTheGOAT honestly, as much as id hate to lower our chances of winning game 5, this might be the absolute best play at this moment.

[@dragonmaster909]

It's understandable to struggle due to injury. You showed up and tried your best. Respect!

[@ItwasnotLando]

I trust Luka is gonna come back next game and have his best game yet.

[@nurcirino]

Aged like fine 🍷

[@bostjanblatnik6885]

He did😊

[@cosandraodame7623]

Irving has experience in the playoffs and also with a championship. So I hope Luka learns from him

[@telmolicious]

Luka has the killer mindset. Ky has had poor PO games as Well and playing injured is never Easy. But obviously Ky has won.

[@mjhopgoodswe]

Luka .ed Real Madrid to win the tenth Euro Cup in Belgrade in the 2017-18 season, in which he was chosen MVP of the Euroleague, MVP of the Final Four and member of the best five in the competition. Sure, he can and should learn a lot from Irving but let's not forget the dude has been balling in high stress situations for a long time.

[@user-li6ns2lk3z]

seriously?you think he has no championship exp? 😂😂😂

[@GHETTO344]

@@telmoliciouspoor po games? you score box mf💀

[@sabjot602]

@@mjhopgoodswebuddy nba is different level. This ain’t 17 years old average players. This is the best 160 grown up players in the world in nba playoffs. Not saying it matters to Luka beacuse a good players game translates on every stage. But Madrid league and nba playoffs ain’t the same talent wise.

[@Baztation]

Hope he wins this series!

[@cotyembry]

Love this guy more and more everytime I see him. Great personality

[@richardpajarillo4136]

Forreal bro.

[@azuragazni8170]

give this man MVP please

[@flightlessdrone5734]

😆🤣

[@tmariareddy]

I is what it is ….. forgive yourself you did your best ❤

[@tmariareddy]

My husband is an enthusiasts for the game . He thinks you did awesome 👏 he said you’re the best that they have … love ❤️ you man

[@jerrybell781]

Mavs did a great job this game of staying in there. I question the decision to pull Gafford and Lively in the 4th and leaving in Kleber. It became a floater/layup drill and he gave is next to nothing as for as rim protection in the middle in the clutch.

[@huxleybennett4732]

I think they just needed to keep Luka off him, he’s too banged up now to be guarding Harden

[@MistaWordz]

I said the exact same thing. Kidd is 🚮 in the clutch. Gaff and Lively should be the ONLY 2 playing the 5. Kleber should NEVER play C and he DEFINITELY shouldn't be playing more minutes than Lively and Gafford.

[@jjparks9263]

@@MistaWordzI’d rather trust in a champ vs a keyboard warrior

[@deadlylightningspirit4295]

Needed to prevent 3 pointers and they couldn’t guard harden without giving up free throws

[@jerrybell781]

@@jjparks9263 didn’t know posing a question made someone a keyboard warrior? Only one acting like a tough guy is……….

[@12martin12rojas]

Man Luka a beast you genuinely feel for this man. Unlike other players blaming everyone but themselves

[@koolaid44445555]

I think if they would of closed they would be the best Closers in NBA History Big shout out to Luka for acknowledging the fans ..... Lets go Mavs

[@kotryna-angelebartusevicie8448]

Luka 😇💫💥

[@antons7210]

They just let Harden get inside too much, otherwise they were about to get an insane comeback. We definitely have a series on our hands

[@MistaWordz]

Idk why Kidd insists on playing Kleber at the 5 when he has D-Live and Gafford sitting on the bench. It makes no sense, especially at the end of the game when they were on their way to a comeback.

[@jordanstarr2992]

they got to not play drop coverage. hedge the screen force the pass and rotate.

[@Dutch_Engineer_Piff_Dahnk]

gafford kinda small to guard zubac, but klaver was mostly at the 4​@@MistaWordz

[@MistaWordz]

@@Dutch_Engineer_Piff_Dahnk Gafford is about the same size as Kleber, but he plays bigger and his wingspan is like 3 inches longer. Zubac is about the same weight and only a couple inches taller. D-Live on the other hand has a 7'7" wingspan. D-Live and Gaff should be plenty to slow down Zubac. Zubac ain't the problem though. He's not that good. They just need to keep the big 3 of Kawhi, PG, and Harden out the lane and grab boards. The Mavs need rim protection and rebounding from their bigs, neither of which Kleber is that good at compared to DLive and Gaff. I think it's better when he's at the 4 alongside one of the "real" bigs.

[@lapdance2122]

its not that they let him get inside, Harden is the one making plays and dissecting their defense.

[@darrenvarley105]

Luka's my favorite player. This is two games (1st and 4th) where he wasn't himself. He's usually that first half Terminator, then him and Ky close out the 4th. I'd like to say it was the Clippers defense, but it was mostly missed wide open shots and terrible turnovers. I know they'll clost this out though.

[@xxsskyyxx]

Kai is Mr 4th quarter , Luka is a killer in the 1st half always , Kai blows up in the 2nd half .. but it’s the playoffs , they got to mix things together and be clicking on all cylinders at all times

[@mikebz718]

At the end of the day, it's not just basketball!

[@omahafold]

Luka is DIFF... MVP ALL TIME! MJ would Agree. 77

[@m6bimmer30]

They had the game...kidd should had put in a rim protector at the end of the game. Harden is literally shooting floaters uncontested. No hard fouls on him or help defense when he was in the paint. I can live with 4 step back 3s but floaters is unacceptable!

[@nodiced1]

glad he is that self aware, he missed crucial freethrows and shots late.

[@wandacox4536]

We love you win or lose bc we see your love of the game.

[@luhmax_]

its all good luka, you're playing well we just gotta get that efficiency better. you're getting the looks we just gotta knock em down. makes the game easier for everyone else. we got this

[@user-ky6ew6vv6l]

Hardest player period🤘🏼💯

[@purple1637]

❤❤we still love u

[@odman7945]

Sportsman dont have injure free times. Still, I think opportunities to recover during the season is slim.

[@sosukeaizen2723]

I need Luka to get mad and lock in really. Cmon bro be that guy we saw vs the suns 😊

[@FreeOfAllFear]

Lukas hurt but him not making excuses is why I love dude he needs to just be Magic Johnson rn not taking long shots just facilitate kai and the team and only take what’s there his game is based on counters he can’t do rn w his knee we can still win cause our defense but he needs to change the style

[@arvi7281]

What watch is he wearing?

[@oscarnarvaez5440]

This kid gets way to much criticism and hate. As stated before, he takes blame, doesn't make excuses and never EVER throws his teammates under the bus! I'd take Luka on my team any day.

[@ezaleyoung9049]

Take it easy on luka they were down 31 second quarter and came back within two points at the end of the third

[@GHETTO344]

well not exactly because of him but aight

[@xxsskyyxx]

yea cause of Kai , never seen a more overall skilled scorer than kyrie ever , at 6’1-6’2 .. if he as 6’5 or 6’6 .. sheesh .. but Luka made up for it in game 5 & kyrie let him have his show to redeem himself to get that confidence back .. mavs in 6 hopefully ..

[@SujexOff1]

Luka hates to lose , and he is gonna show up in the next game and won't let his team for sure !!

[@zephyrreels7464]

I love lukas accountability man 💯

[@JuniorAL2289]

We need to take Harden out the game hes been killing us with out Leonard!!

[@yopo654]

Both mavs loses were because of diabolicaly bad 1stQ, going into game 5 they gotta lock in from the start, game 4 would’ve been a mavs blowout if they played from the start like they played in second half

[@Lmaoooohi]

Lmaoo it’s just basketball quote

[@emilianolizarazopaz7105]

Pobrecito anda bien tristón y echándose toda la culpa 😭😭😭

[@joshuat5140]

Man I hope luka gets a ring eventually he deserves it. He gives it his all every game. And kyrie and him have balled out. But with there squad they need a couple more good pieces to win a ring imo. But either way salute to luka he's definitely one of the best white players to do it lol. I got to say that because us whiteboys don't have many hoopers like that 😂

[@veerchasm1]

13 other Mavs: “Hold our beer 🍻 “

[@_blankface]

And this is why kyrie plays hard for him

[@user-py7zg4yn2b]

No, a lot of people have been let down in their lives… I just don’t let people control me… I understand basketball is a very difficult and very complicated team. Effort… I have which had never had a team that was ever on my side or ever wanted to give me an opportunity or chance… That’s why I will not do anything that people tell me to do from here on out… Unless it’s relative to music or something like that… It’s not about a woman it’s not about anything else it’s about what I wanna do with my life. If you let people down in a sport, everyone’s gonna have a bad day, don’t you guys plan like 82 games a year… At least you got the opportunity to do what you love… don’t forget the situation can always be worse.

[@elwnpro]

Lushoke 😢

[@Bliu2th]

Much better than the other guy who complained about the fans

[@xxsskyyxx]

Who ??

[@shilohdalstonchurch1965]

Game one was practice for the Mavs. Game 2 the Mavs woke up, Game 3 the Mavs was on a mission, Game 4 the Mavs were clearly tired, too late in getitng into thier momentum. The Mavricks are the better team, it's not the individual greatness but the team that plays as one unit with the same mind and focus will win. Athelston Broadcasting from Shiloh Dalston Church.

[@ripcity0066]

is there a line on Luka dropping a 50-piece in Game 5?

[@17sysqo]

Oh he using this as fuel we winning next game 💪🏽

[@smilingren12]

Yeah, he is haunted by this Clippers Team. Not being able to pass through this team in the playoffs.

[@jonpetter8921]

What i saw was Luka looked limited offensively at the end of the game, was he hurt or gassed ? also Mavs defense against Harden was surprisingly loose in the end.

[@xxsskyyxx]

A little bit of both , he was hurt (knee) & gassed .. he made up for it game 5 & Kai did a good job to let him redeem himself .. you could see it ..

[@getdatboigone7940]

MVP

[@mja4wp]

Luka still maturing...it takes time...he's gonna be a champ one day...not likely this year

[@TheRealSpartanWarrior]

Any watch enthusiasts that know the model watch he’s wearing?

[@user-li6ns2lk3z]

not his fault. hes been doing a hard carry for the team. couple more points from other starters and bench wouldve made a difference

[@tonilankz8316]

You good Cuh had 29pts

[@jnike4230]

That is a stupid comment,U casual,he played fukn terrible

[@xxsskyyxx]

If you watched the game you’d know he played mediocre at best , stats don’t tell everything ..

[@donantoni0]

Forza Luka 💙 🤍

[@fnl62fnl62]

He'll bounce back game 5.

[@user-oj7pe5hl3g]

Luka has low vitamin D levels

[@ayareineestheraka6985]

When i see thé game i think that luka want to lost this game. He do anythink to lost

[@Lost_Soul7711]

The Mavs should have won this series already, the refs have been absolutely horrible this series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Letting Harden travel every freaking time he takes a shot!!!!!! Westbrook should have been hit with a flagrant 2 and immediately ejected and suspended the rest of the series for that horrible non basketball foul he pulled on Luka literally trying to injure him!!!!

[@phoenixfaith3248]

Get it together man.. the other teams aren't playing around with you, they wanna win, and so does Kyrie, as we can all see...

[@michaelvalencia9834]

j.kidd ask him if he is betting he likes benching big guys like lively and gafford just like last year he bench mc gee and c wood its obvious

[@Fcbarcsahj]

Kyrie mvp

[@LALAY-o1g]

Kidd is blasphemy.

[@McMarvin42]

lol it's always about Kyrie.

[@holdmylatte]

What’s wrong with that?

[@rollandcurtis874]

No wonder both Kevin Durant and Anthony Edwards identified Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player who ever lived. Michael Jordan is the GOAT for sure!!! 🐐 🐐🐐🐐🐐

[@user-wd7ue1wd6r]

What BS?

[@alanberg5575]

What is this comment relevant to??

[@Hewehmunja]

Dallas never plays defense they should have gotten Demarcus cousins he can shoot post up and rebound Smt

[@cryptidian3530]

Don't know if you're trolling or just a hater, but the Mavs had the #1 defense over the last 2 months of the regular season and have held the Clippers to 90 and 93 points in games 2 and 3. Those two games were won with incredible defensive effort. You must not be watching Mavericks games if this is your take. Also, Demarcus Cousins isn't even in the league any more, and for good reason.

[@landshark616]

They holding to clippers to season lows in defense ?? What are you talking about ..

[@alanberg5575]

I guess you haven't been paying attention to the Mavs these past couple of months.

[@Lost_Soul7711]

HORRIBLE OFFICIATING ALL SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@umarmusisi8853]

He played horrible and as his fan I was in shock

[@umarmusisi8853]

@@gungadin9686 I kno it very well n in his comments he knows he played bad...the way it was going Kyrie would have brought the ball or touched it more. He knows his gat to play better even in his own words 29 is nthg for this guy if antman is getting 40 🤷🏾

[@WhyYouMadd40]

Mavs in 6 🤷🏾‍♂️ Kyrie is not Brunson they gone get pass these ppl

[@johnnynervis8097]

What you mean I'm confused?

[@WhyYouMadd40]

@@johnnynervis8097 I said what I said if you can’t comprehend it then that’s on you

[@johnnynervis8097]

@@WhyYouMadd40 nah bud explain can't catch on to something if it don't make sense dawg or your taking offense to an question 🤣🤣🤣

[@johnnynervis8097]

Kyire better by miles not even close

[@WhyYouMadd40]

@@johnnynervis8097 bro you must really be slow. If they couldn’t beat the clippers with Luka and Brunson and I comment they gone get pass these ppl Kyrie not Brunson what does that tell you? You so ready to d***ride you don’t even understand what’s goin on 🤡 stop writing me too 🤣

[@reypendon2434]

We like you but please stop complaining, just play!!!

[@fan2hd277]

Agreed but you have to acknowledge that the ref in this series are completely ignoring a ton of fouls on him. Otherwise he would have 20 to 30 FT per game. This would also drive me mad 😡 Especially when you see Harden flopping all the time and he gets all the calls. That was yesterday again a difference maker in the end.

[@i37no4z]

@@fan2hd277 How's complaining to the ref help in anyway? It's not going to change anything. You can file a complain letter after the game or whatever but during the game you gotta learn to accept and keep playing.

[@peapod5629]

​@@i37no4z if he doesn't complain, he will legitimately get less calls.

[@huxleybennett4732]

@@peapod5629I honestly don’t know what the numbers are with that. Would it not be enough to have Kidd and the bench warmers do the majority of the complaining?

[@PridelovalecSipka]

Why doesnt Luka play like Harden and exploit every matchup for a casual stroll to the basket

[@PridelovalecSipka]

Hes open on many shots, but he decided he will be a Blake Griffin like playoff choker now I guess. Grow some balls.