The Dallas Mavericks are facing a critical moment in their postseason journey as they prepare for Game 5 of the NBA Finals, trailing the Boston Celtics 3-1. Star player Luka Doncic played a pivotal role in their Game 4 comeback last week, scoring 29 points and leading the Mavericks to a significant 84-122 victory, marking Boston’s worst defeat since 1995. Despite this triumph, Doncic acknowledges that their chances of reversing the series remain slim.
After the victory, Doncic stated, “Nothing changes. As I said at the beginning of the series, it’s first to four, and we will believe until the end. We just have to keep pushing. I have strong faith in this team, and I believe we can achieve it. We must continue to believe.”
Throughout these playoffs, Doncic’s resilience has been severely tested. He has played through various injuries and persistent pain, appearing on Dallas’ injury list multiple times since April. He was doubtful for Game 2 and has been managing discomfort in his right knee and left ankle for several weeks. Additionally, he has recently struggled with chest bruising, requiring pain-killing injections to continue playing. Despite downplaying his injuries, he reassured the media last week, saying, “I’m fine. I don’t want to give more details, but I feel good.”
Doncic is listed as “probable” for tonight’s crucial Game 5 at TD Garden, indicating he will likely start unless unexpected circumstances arise. In this series, Doncic has averaged 37.8 minutes per game, contributing 29.5 points, eight rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. His shooting percentages stand at 25 percent from the field and 62.5 percent from the free-throw line, underscoring his critical role and the team’s heavy reliance on his performance.
