The Dallas Mavericks were dismantled by the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their Western Conference Semifinals Playoff series, with a final score of 117-95 On Tuesday, May 7, at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Mavericks star Luka Doncic did not perform up to his usual standards in the game. He struggled throughout the evening and finished with 19 points on 6-of-19 shooting from the field, 1-of-8 from three-point range, and five turnovers.
The Slovenian guard provided a straightforward answer when asked about the tough outing during the post-game press conference.
"Who cares? We lost, man. We just have to move on to the next one. I have to be better, and we have to be better," the 25-year-old said.
The five-time NBA All-Star has a sprained right knee, which was listed in the team's injury report before the game, but he refused to use it as an excuse.
Doncic contributed positively with six rebounds, nine assists, and two steals in 41 minutes of play, which served as a silver lining for the Mavericks.
Kyrie Irving gives promising message
Meanwhile, Mavericks star Kyrie Irving, who scored 20 points on a respectable 7-of-14 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, delivered an encouraging message to his team and fans despite the Game 1 loss.
"Tribe, stay together no matter what," the 32-year-old dynamic guard posted on X, formerly Twitter, after the game.
Irving concluded the post with the term "Hélà," as he typically does, which is his Lakota name meaning "Little Mountain."
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