Luka Doncic's Mavs Hit Rock Bottom With Hornets Loss: 'We’ve Got To Show We Care'

The Dallas Mavericks now find themselves on the outside of the play-in tournament seeding after losing to the Charlotte Hornets. Can they turn things around?

DALLAS — After the Dallas Mavericks came out flat early in Friday's 117-109 loss to a shorthanded, rebuilding Charlotte Hornets squad, by allowing 69 points in the first half. There was a late rally attempt, even featuring coming within one-point in the fourth quarter, but the Mavs proved unable to take control. 

Despite having a conversation before the game about what the team is playing for, the Mavs still came out flat. The effort level and lack of urgency were apparent, especially given the stakes amid a highly competitive Western Conference playoff race.

“It was awful. Dog---t," Mavs coach Jason Kidd said of the team's effort. "I think just understanding the talk before the game of what we’re playing for – playoffs or championship – and to come out in that first half, but more-or-less that first quarter, and give up 37 [points]. The interest level just wasn’t high. It was just … disappointing.

Right now, the morale isn't high for the Mavs. Luka Doncic expressed that he "used to have fun" on the court, but lately, it's been a frustrating process. He recently return from a quad injury that first became a problem shortly after the NBA All-Star break. 

“Yeah, it’s really frustrating,” Doncic said. “I think you can see it with me on the court. Sometimes I don’t feel [like] it’s me. I’m just being out there. I used to have fun, smiling on the court. But it’s just been so frustrating.”

“For a lot of reasons, not just basketball,” Doncic explained.

When asked about what is going on beyond basketball, Doncic opted not to explain: “You know I don’t talk about my private life. There’s just a lot going on.”

Given the stakes of each game, the Mavs' performance commanded boos from the American Airlines Center crowd. Dallas had trailed by as many as 21 points in the third quarter, resulting in the team getting booed by the American Airlines Center crowd. 

“We probably should have been booed in the first quarter,” Kidd said. “Just the effort and the play. They have a right. They paid to see a better show. It wasn’t there into the second half. We’ve got to come out better than that, especially this time of year.”

Doncic's fellow superstar, Kyrie Irving, is no stranger to fans voicing dissatisfaction. Irving told reporters that it shouldn't bother players to hear that reaction considering his experience playing in New York City, a market with fans that aren't afraid to voice dissatisfaction. 

"So what? Just the way I feel about it," Irving said. "I've been in New York City, so I know what that's like. You obviously want to play well, but you know, there's only five people on the court that can play for the Dallas Mavericks. If the fans wanna change places, then hey, be my guest. Got years of work ahead of you to be great enough to be on this level." 

"Our focus isn't necessarily on boos, it's on our performance and just being there for each other," Irving explained. "Boos are just part of it."

Given the lack of urgency in a high stakes game, what can be done to motivate players? Kidd sees the options as being limited with it often coming down to playing time and getting more opportunity in the offense. Beyond that, he sees self-motivation as needing to come from players directly.

"Yeah, minutes and field gold attempts," Kidd said. "We got a very short lease of ideas or tricks to be able to self-motivate..."

Doncic made clear that he has to set the tone as a leader for the team. Given the lack of urgency early, he understands the team has to display greater focus and effort — starting with him, as the leader. 

“We’ve got to show we care,” Doncic said. “It starts with me first. I’ve got to lead this team. Being better, play harder, it’s on me.”

With a 36-38 record, the Mavs aren't even holding a spot in the play-in tournament picture as they dropped to 11th in the Western Conference. If the season ended today, Dallas would have the 11th ranked lottery odds. With a top-10 protected first-round pick, they would lose their selection if the lottery placed them in their current position.

Irving is set to reach unrestricted free agency this offseason barring any agreement on a new contract. The means for the Mavs to upgrade the roster are limited with how few trade assets they have, coupled with no shortage of negative valued contracts.

There are still eight games for the Mavs to turn things around, but going on the road for a five-game Eastern Conference trip does not present the most favorable of circumstances to pull off such a feat.

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