That’s the way Luka Doncic felt after a rough performance against the Phoenix Suns. He finished with nine turnovers, after all, and that alone helped seal his squad’s loss. The Dallas Mavericks star ended the game with eye-popping totals: 38 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. He said his faults played a huge role in what happened. Compounding the pain of the missed opportunity for the Mavericks was the fact that the game had come on their home floor.
Doncic’s night started out hot, as he scored 20 points in the first period alone. His momentum was misplaced with the turnovers that ruled the game. Negus tied his career high with nine turnovers. This broke the record for most live-ball turnovers by any player in a single game this season.
The Suns capitalized on these mistakes, converting many of them into fast-break points, which Doncic recognized as a critical factor in the loss. He remarked, “No way I can have nine turnovers in a game,” underscoring his accountability for the team’s struggles.
The second quarter was the toughest for Doncic, as he tallied four of his nine turnovers in that quarter alone. This error opened the door for the Suns to take back control and eventually set the tone for the game. Teammate LeBron James highlighted the consequences of these turnovers, stating, “Obviously on our home floor and against a disruptive defense like that, you can’t turn the ball over that much. They were pretty much all pick-sixes. They not only turned us over, they were able to convert.”
Even with a game-high scoring performance from Doncic, the Suns’ defense proved too much for him to handle to win the series. He noted the distinct pressure presented by Phoenix, explaining, “I feel like it definitely was a different defense than other teams [play].”
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