Luka Doni Dismisses Injuries After Mavs' Loss: 'It Doesn't Matter If I Was Hurt' | News, Scores,

May 2024 · 2 minute read
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 17: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 17, 2024 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images

Luka Dončić wasn't interested in making excuses after his Dallas Mavericks lost the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics.

"It doesn't matter if I was hurt, how much was I hurt," he told reporters following Monday's 106-88 loss in Game 5 at TD Garden. "I was out there. I tried to play, but I didn't do enough."

ClutchPoints @ClutchPoints

Reporter: "Now that the series is over, how much were you hurting?"<br><br>Luka Doncic: "It doesn't matter if I was hurt [or] how much I was hurt. I was out there, trying to play. But I didn't do enough."<a href="https://t.co/LZ04G9xsmV">pic.twitter.com/LZ04G9xsmV</a>

Dončić dealt with physical setbacks throughout his team's run to the NBA Finals and was included on the injury report because of his thoracic contusion. What's more, he received a pain-killing injection ahead of Game 2, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Malika Andrews, and revealed he needed another one later in the series.

He also played through a sprained knee earlier in the playoffs and seemed to be playing through physical pain a number of times.

To his credit, Dončić suited up for every one of the Mavericks' postseason games and was largely excellent while leading the team to its first NBA Finals appearance since the 2010-11 campaign.

Unfortunately for Dallas, the run came to an end against a dominant Celtics team.

Dončić did what he could in the closeout contest with 28 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals, but Jayson Tatum and Co. were the better team throughout the series.

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