Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks wasn’t afraid of Chris Paul on Sunday afternoon.
Doncic and his team kept Paul to a surprisingly low 12 points in Game 3 on Friday and were hoping to make it even harder on him in Game 4.
That’s exactly what happened: Paul ended the game with just 5 points.
The reason he left was that he fouled out, another uncharacteristic move from Paul.
Paul isn’t just being outplayed – he’s being outsmarted too.
Luka Doncic says Chris Paul asked him after the foul call in the final second of the first half, “Did I push you that hard?”
Doncic’s answer: “No, but it was a smart play.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 8, 2022
Following a foul call against Doncic, Paul asked: “Did I push you that hard?”
Doncic’s answer summed up his quest to take Paul down: “No, but it was a smart play.”
Paul Not A Problem
If the Suns hope to get back on track and take the Mavericks down, Paul will need to start playing like his normal self.
He has averaged 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists a game.
Obviously, he hasn’t even come close to that in the last couple of games.
His shots are sloppier and his mindset isn’t where it needs to be.
The four fouls he committed in the first half of Sunday’s game were a career milestone – but not a good one.
While the Suns have other great players on the roster, Paul is definitely a cornerstone of the squad.
The team doesn’t live and die solely because of his performances but he definitely adds a lot when he’s doing well.
Paul has been in the league for years and has a very high basketball IQ.
However, that IQ has looked shockingly low over the last few games.
Paul is known for his ability to bounce back.
Now fans are just waiting for that bounce-back to begin.
NEXT: Luka Doncic Stands Alone With Elite Postseason Record