“That’s Their Job”: Mavericks Center Takes a Dig at LA Clippers for Provoking Him

If you’re a Dallas Mavericks fan, today is not your day. Not just because Mavs lost 110-118 against the LA Clippers, but because the game left the fans wondering ‘what if’.

What if Kristaps Porziņģis was not ejected?

It all fell apart in the third quarter for the Mavs. They were 71-66 ahead of the Clippers and were looking very strong. But a second technical foul awarded to the Center player turned the tables for them. Now, this was a very unfortunate turning point for the Dallas camp.

Kristaps Porzingis’ ejection proved very expensive for the Dallas Mavericks

The Unicorn losing his cool cost Mavericks the game. He had timed just 20 minutes in the game and had scored 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist. But then he fell prey to a provocation from the opponents. In the post-game interview, he was asked if the foul was warranted.

KP6 looked disappointed in himself as he confessed, “No, of course not. But I understand we got into it a little bit. And I saw him getting into Luca’s face and I didn’t like that. That’s why I reacted, and that’s a smart thing to do from their part.

“I just got to be smarter and control my emotions. Especially on the 1st one I understand about the second one, but the first one, even though I felt it was a clean block. They’re probably gonna call that tech for throwing a hand every time. So I was got to be smart and not let my emotions get the better on me.”

He hinted towards the mind games at play on the court and claimed that the Clippers ‘provoked’ the Mavs. He then added on the same lines, “Yes, not their main guys, but some of the other guys. That’s their job. That’s part of their game and we can’t fall into that.”

Kristaps definitely needs to keep his nerves in check. For nothing should come at the expense of a game, not certainly in the Bubble playoffs, where every game is crucial.

The history repeats

While playing with the New York Knicks back in 2016, a somewhat similar coincident happened. Kristaps was of the same age (21) back then as is Luka Doncic today. It was again the third quarter of the NYK vs Phoenix Suns. KP6 blocked Marquese Chriss’s attempt and a few seconds later they were both on one another.

This was the angriest Kristaps ever looked until, of course, today against the Clippers. He took a stand for point guard Luka Doncic, but one such stand was certainly not a smart move. It would have been better if Porzingis could have ignored it and rather helped Luca get a win for the 42 historic points that he had remarkably posted.

The Mavs will next face Clippers on Wednesday in the NBA Playoffs 2020.