Jason Kidd, the coach of the Dallas Mavericks, strongly defended Luka Doncic against heavy criticism before Game 4 of the NBA Finals, suggesting that some of the critiques had been overly harsh. Doncic then responded to this support by delivering an outstanding performance on the court.
He played with dominance and composure, leading the Mavericks to a decisive 122-84 victory over the Boston Celtics. This win prevented the Celtics from clinching their 18th championship on the Mavericks’ home court, extending the season for Dallas. Doncic’s performance could be seen as a direct response to the criticism he faced, proving his capabilities under pressure.
“I think he made a few people eat their words in a healthy way,” Mavs co-star Kyrie Irving said.
“We were locked in, especially on the defensive end,” commented Luka Doncic, noting his game-best plus-minus of plus-30. “We played with pace, which really benefited us. I’m here to support my teammates in every possible way. We just need to maintain that level of play.”
Luka Doncic remains optimistic despite the Mavericks facing a 3-0 deficit in the NBA playoff series. He emphasized that the series is determined by the first team to win four games and expressed unwavering belief in his team’s ability to make a comeback.
“As I said at the start of the series, it’s first to four,” Doncic stated. “We’re going to keep believing until the very end. We just need to keep pushing forward. I have great faith in this team that we can achieve it. “Doncic’s confidence reflects his leadership and determination to rally his team, highlighting their resilience and readiness to overcome the odds in pursuit of a historic comeback in the playoffs.
