Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic won’t use a right knee injury as an excuse for his struggles in the first-round playoff series against the LA Clippers. But Doncic is clearly playing through it, and he feels as if that’s putting a lot on Kyrie Irving’s shoulders.
“I just got to help him more,” Doncic said of Irving. “I feel like I’m letting him down, so I got to be there. I got to help him more. He’s given everything that he has, and he’s been amazing for us the whole series.”
Doncic injured his right knee in the first quarter of Game 3. It’s impacted his ability to create separation from the Clippers defenders. But the Mavs star expects himself to be better, despite the injury.
“It’s hurting obviously, but it shouldn’t be an excuse, man,” said Doncic on playing 45 minutes in Game 4. “Just came out and a little sloppy, so I got to be way better than that.”
The Clippers won Game 4 to even the series at 2-2. Game 5 is in Los Angeles on Wednesday.