Luka Kyrie G4 loss Mavericksdisagree

Doncic and Irving struggle in Game 4 loss, ending Mavs' winning streak. Timberwolves change defensive assignments to secure victory.

In a stunning turn of events, Luka Doncic notched his sixth triple-double of the playoffs, showcasing his incredible talent with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. However, his shooting was lackluster, going 7-of-21 from the field, leading to a disappointing performance. Surprisingly, he shared the worst plus-minus of the night with Mavs forward P.J. Washington at minus-13.

Teammate Kyrie Irving also struggled offensively, scoring 16 points on 6-of-18 shooting with four turnovers, marking his worst outing of the series. Irving took full responsibility for the Mavs' five-game winning streak coming to an end, acknowledging his sloppy play in the first quarter as a contributing factor.

The Timberwolves made significant defensive adjustments, switching up their primary assignments on Doncic and Irving. Jaden McDaniels took on Irving, while Anthony Edwards defended Doncic, resulting in both stars shooting below 35% from the floor for the first time this postseason.

Despite the individual struggles, Mavs forward Derrick Jones Jr. emphasized the team's unity, stating that wins and losses are collective efforts. Doncic, reflecting on his performance against Edwards, refused to blame the defensive switch and instead shouldered the responsibility for the loss.

Irving praised McDaniels for his defensive prowess, acknowledging the challenge of facing a 6-9 wing defender from the opening tip. The defeat marked the first loss in Irving's career record in potential closeout games, ending a remarkable winning streak in such situations.

Looking ahead, Irving expressed a positive outlook, emphasizing the need to bounce back and prepare for the next game against Minnesota. The team is focused on regrouping, learning from the loss, and embracing the challenge of playing in a hostile environment.