San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Pop proud despite 2-5 record at home
The Spurs are just 2-5 at home after a 122-117 loss to Dallas on Friday night, but they heard only words of praise from coach Gregg Popovich afterward.
“I told them I was very proud of what they did tonight,” Popovich said.
Luka Doncic finished with 36 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds after ending the first quarter with 19 points, six assists and five rebounds. The Mavericks led by as many as 18 in the second quarter and enjoyed a 13-point lead early in the fourth, but the Spurs kept fighting and almost pulled it out at the end.
And they did all of it without point guard Dejounte Murray, who left the game and did not return after suffering an ankle injury in the first minute.
“We dug a hole for ourselves like we often have starting games,” Popovich said. “But as the game went along, we got more and more aggressive, more and more physical, communicated better, and they didn’t give in after going down by 18.”
Doncic saved his best for last, hitting an 11-foot, turnaround bank shot with 49.4 seconds left to give the Mavericks a 115-112 lead. After DeMar DeRozan missed a 9foot pull-up jumper with 39.2 seconds left, Doncic kicked the ball out to Jalen
Brunson for a corner 3pointer in front of the Spurs bench.
Brunson got the wideopen look after the the defense collapsed on Doncic as he drove into the lane.
The Spurs (8-8) still had a chance after Rudy Gay drained a 3-pointer coming out of a timeout, but the Mavericks (8-7) hit four straight free throws in the final 12.9 seconds to offset a reverse layup by DeRozan with 6.6 seconds left that cut the lead to 120-117.
“Down the stretch, we missed a couple of shots, they made a couple of shots. Game time,” Popovich said.
Murray limped off the court after hurting his ankle while defending Kristaps Porzingis, coming down on the 7-foot-3 Latvian’s foot as he sank a 13-foot turnaround jumper.
Murray’s status for Sunday’s home game against Washington is uncertain, but Popovich said, “I think he is going to be fine.”
The Spurs fell despite getting 29 points from DeRozan, who cracked the NBA’s top 100 career scoring chart by passing Latrell Sprewell for No. 100 with 16,713 points, and 26 points from LaMarcus Aldridge, who was 4 of 7 from 3-point range.
Keldon Johnson had 17 points and a career-high 14 rebounds before fouling out with 2.2 seconds left.
Porzingis and Tim Hardaway
Jr. scored 21 points apiece for the Mavericks.
Here are three takeaways from the Spurs’ latest home loss at the fan-less AT&T Center:
Again, Doncic dominates
Due to the NBA’s COVID-10 health and safety protocols, Dallas was without four players. But it didn’t matter with Doncic putting up impressive numbers against the Spurs for what seems like the umpteenth time in his young career.
Last season, the 21-yearold Slovenian averaged 32.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 10.5 assists against the Spurs.
He entered Friday’s game with a career scoring average of 28.3 points against the Spurs over seven games.
“He is a quintessential basketball player,” Popovich said. “He has an intrinsic feel for the game. He was built for this game. He’s just in love with the game of basketball, and his skills are top notch. He’s just a joy to watch.
Johnson’s effort fiery during loss
Johnson is in just his second season, but that didn’t stop him from yelling “Let’s go” a couple of times in the first half in an effort to fire up his teammates.
The Kentucky-ex kept charging hard even after he picked up his fifth foul early in the fourth quarter, finishing the final frame with four points and four rebounds. Gay was asked after the game about the fine line between playing with great energy and being out of control at times.
“I think to an extent you have to let him be himself, but he’s still young,” Gay said.