Luka Doncic feels frustrated: 'It's not just for basketball reasons' / News - Basketnews.com

Luka Doncic hints at personal life issues after the loss to Charlotte Hornets. Mavs star says he doesn't feel like himself on the court: "It's just been so frustrating for a lot of reasons, not just basketball."

Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix Credit Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix

The short-handed Charlotte Hornets delivered a devastating blow to the host Dallas Mavericks' post-season hopes by winning 117-109 on Friday night.

Player of the Game EFF 30 Gordon Hayward Points 25 Accuracy 9-15 Rebounds 3 Assists 9

Dallas dropped to a 36-38 record and is currently out of the Play-In.

"It's really frustrating. I think you can see it with me on the court," Luka Doncic said in the post-game conference. "Sometimes I don't feel it's me. I'm just being out there. I used to have really fun smiling on the court, but it's just been so frustrating for a lot of reasons, not just basketball."

After Doncic hinted at off-court struggles, he received a question about what else is going on in his life.

"I do not talk about my private life. It's just a lot going on," the Slovenian responded.

Luka scored 34 points to go with 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Mavs, who lost back-to-back home games and three straight overall.

"We gotta fight, play harder, and show that we care, starting with me first. I have to lead the team by being better and playing harder. It's on me," Doncic said.

The other Dallas backcourt star -- Kyrie Irving -- scored 18 points after missing one game with a toe injury.

Irving and Doncic played together for the first time since March 8. The Mavericks are 3-7 with both in the lineup.

"I have been in positions before in the season when we have been under .500 and scratching and clawing to get into the playoffs," Irving commented. "It's not a position you want to be in, but it's our reality, and we have to face it. There is no time for excuses or pointing fingers – just move on to the next game and do all that we can to prepare in the best way."

Things for the Mavericks started to go south early in Friday's game. The team gave up 69 first-half points to the Hornets, while coach Jason Kidd described the effort as "dogshit."

"That was awful. Dogshit," Kidd said. "Just understanding the talk before the game of what we're playing for, playoffs or championship, and to come out, you know, in that first half, but more or less the first quarter and give up 37, the interest level wasn't high. Disappointing..."

Dallas got booed by the American Airlines Center crowd in the third quarter.

"Probably should have been booed in the first quarter, just the effort in the play," Kidd told reporters. "They [the fans] have a right [to boo], they paid to see a better show. It wasn't there until the second half. We can't come out like that, especially this time of the year."

Mavericks and Hornets meet again Sunday afternoon in Charlotte, N.C.

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