DALLAS — Luka Doncic downplayed the uproar that began with Hassan Whiteside’s hard foul of the Utah Jazz backup center as “nothing” but typical playoff tension, but the Dallas Mavericks superstar appreciated his teammates’ rush to protect him.
The incident happened on Doncic’s dunk attempt with 5:33 minutes remaining in the Mavs’ 102-77 win in Monday’s deciding Game 5.
After Doncic fell to the ground, Whiteside stood over him. Dallas forwards Dorian Finney-Smith and Reggie Bullock ran to the baseline to face the 7-foot, 265-pound center and traded nudges with him. Referees, coaches and security officials from both teams rushed into the fray to ensure the situation did not escalate.
“They had my back,” said Doncic, who had 33 points, 13 rebounds and five assists for the win. “Both, everyone, we’ve turned our backs on each other. That’s what great teams do. I would go to war with these guys. This is a special team.”
Whiteside was called and ejected for two technical fouls. Bullock, who had scored his first technician in a Mavericks uniform earlier in the game, was called for another technician and was also ejected. Finney-Smith was also called to a technician.
“I just ran over there and tried to protect my teammate,” said Finney-Smith, whose defense was led by jazz star Donovan Mitchell (9 points, 4 shots of 15, 4 turnovers) for his struggles. “It’s playoff basketball. It was a tough foul. … We know they will try to beat Luka. They also tried to hit [Jalen Brunson], lately too. We just have to protect ourselves, protect each other and win games.”
Doncic, who said he would offer to pay the fines for his teammates’ technical fouls, said he was feeling “a lot better” in his second game after a strained calf that sidelined him for 13 days. He was particularly dominant in the third quarter when Doncic had 19 points, equaling Jazz’s total for the quarter.
“In the first game I was a little nervous – I use that word a lot,” said Doncic, who had 30 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists in the Mavs’ fourth game loss. “But I felt better today. I think the first few minutes I was tired but then I was ok. I think the run in the third was a little bit tired too but I’m getting my air back right now. I Got to hydrate for Utah now, the altitude.”
Dallas has a chance to end the series in Game 6 on Thursday in Salt Lake City. It would be the first time since Dallas’ 2011 championship run that the Mavs have progressed through the first round. Dallas has won eight of nine series in franchise history while leading 3-2, with the exception of last season against the LA Clippers.
“Just play the way we played today,” said Doncic. “I think our defense was fantastic, the energy was high and we played hard. That’s how we have to play and that’s how we’ll win the next game.”