Luka Doncic is a completely different player on defense than he is on the offensive side of the court. The Dallas Mavericks superstar is a menace when trying to score, but he struggles a lot trying to get a stop for his team. Everybody knows that and in this playoff, it’s been more evident than before.
Even though he finally made it past the first round of the postseason, Luka is now trying to beat the Phoenix Suns, but he’s been unable to get past Chris Paul and Devin Booker in the first two games of the series. The Suns have let Luka do his thing on the offense, but they’re also making him pay on defense.
The Suns Hunted Luka Last Night… and it worked
1. Doncic was the screener defender on 19 on-ball screens in the 2nd half, 3rd-most in any half of his career. @ESPNStatsInfo pic.twitter.com/KHhdkJbOKh
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) May 5, 2022
2. The Suns averaged 1.81 points per chance when Doncic was the screener defender in the 2nd half. That is the *highest efficiency* allowed by a single defender in any half over the last 3 seasons (min. 15 direct picks). @ESPNStatsInfo pic.twitter.com/bNskfB0TjT
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) May 5, 2022
Chris Paul has made sure that Luka lives a nightmare whenever they go at it, and many people around the league have noticed that. Recently, a series of experts criticized Luka’s defense against CP3, noting that the Point God always tried to switch on to Luka to easily score on him.
Chris Paul is torching Luka Doncic whenever the switch opportunity presents itself. No mercy from CP3.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 5, 2022
The Suns relentlessly hunting Luka Doncic. isn’t gonna be something that changes the rest of this series either. That’s bad news for the Mavericks.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) May 5, 2022
Chris Paul is giving Luka Doncic a taste of how almost everyone else feels going against Luka Doncic down the stretch.
Ooof.
— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) May 5, 2022
OMG @CP3 CHRIS PAUL just gets better & better with each game . The guy once again been the difference maker in the 4th quarter. He’s such a clutch PTPer at 36 & is absolutely amazing .One of my ALL TIME FAVORITES . He is key reason y @Suns broke game open vs @dallasmavs
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) May 5, 2022
CP cooking Luka out here.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) May 5, 2022
This is just absolutely unreal. @CP3 is putting on an absolute SHOW. He truly is the Point GOD! The CLOSER! What a sensational performance.#Unbelievable
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 5, 2022
Suns looking for who Luka Doncic's man is this quarter like pic.twitter.com/AoT2II4ieT
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) May 5, 2022
Mavericks were down 6 entering 4th, Brunson hits a 3 to start it to cut Phoenix lead to 3…
Then CP3 scored or assisted on first 19 points of 4th quarter for Suns. Lead went from 3 to 15.
— Law Murray ❓ (@LawMurrayTheNU) May 5, 2022
Luka Doncic whenever he gets switched on to Chris Paul pic.twitter.com/Sycovxw5cb
— Jordan (@JLew_5) May 5, 2022
that luka doncic game was one of the worst defensive performances i’ve seen from your best player. and i’m a trae young and ja morant fan ive seen a lot but yeah.
it was a back and forth game cp hunted luka and the lead went from like 4 to like 20
— Jamal Cristopher (@JamCristopher) May 5, 2022
The Slovenian player couldn’t do much against the veteran player, who found a way to close out Game 2 against Doncic’s defense. Many analysts took to social media to point out how poor Luka defended Paul and all the advantages it gave the point guard.
The Mavericks are heading back home now, hoping to turn things around. However, that looks very complicated with an inspired Paul that will try to finish this series in Texas. The Suns are a well-rounded team that has an incredible closer in CP3. He recently talked about all the work he puts in to be ready for clutch time.
This series could get interesting if the Mavs changed things in Games 3 and 4. Jason Kidd has done a terrific job, but Luka needs more help, which hasn’t arrived this series.
