Forty-eight minutes on an NBA hardwood will bring out the competitive juices in anyone, but sometimes that fire can be a double-edged sword. Mavericks All-Star Luka Doncic has learned that the hard way this year.
Despite valid concerns about his fitness level after beginning the year noticeably out of shape, the 22-year-old Slovenian has enjoyed another monster season, netting 28.5 points per game—fourth-most in the NBA—on career-high 48.4-percent shooting. He's also been among the league leaders in assists (8.9 per game), triple-doubles (10) and one metric he's not particularly proud of—technical fouls.
Doncic accrued his league-leading 15th T earlier this week, earning his second career ejection with seconds remaining in the Mavs' 111-99 loss to visiting Sacramento. One more technical would give Doncic 16 for the season, resulting in an automatic one-game suspension. With Portland breathing down Dallas' neck for the sixth and final non-play-in seed in the Western Conference, Doncic can't afford to mouth off over the Mavs' final six games. And to Doncic's credit, the 6'7" guard is well aware of the stakes.
"With officials, I wasn't myself this season. [I'm] complaining way too much and I have to work on that," Doncic told TNT's Ernie Johnson following Thursday night's victory over the Nets, who lost despite a 45-point outburst from Kyrie Irving. "I just have to stay calm and not talk to them. I have to learn from that."
"I wasn't myself this season. Complaining way too much. I have to work on that."
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 7, 2021
Luka checked in with the Inside guys after Dallas' win. pic.twitter.com/5XO3E15O9r
Doncic has managed to keep his cool the past two games, avoiding technicals in wins over Brooklyn and Miami. Biting his tongue won't be easy, but keeping his composure down the stretch is a must for Doncic, particularly with Kristaps Porzingis still nursing a painful knee injury. The hobbled big man is expected to miss his fifth straight game when the Mavs host Cleveland Friday night.
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