The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers have fought with toes and nails during their first 5 games of the 1st round of the NBA playoffs. Luka Doncic’s heroics have kept the Mavs in contention despite the solid defensive efforts by Marcus Morris, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George.
More impressively, Doncic has done most of his damage with a hurt ankle. He rolled it badly during the Clippers’ triumph in Game 3 but that hasn’t stopped him from stepping up when his team needs him most, even knocking down an epic game-winning three-pointer in overtime on Game 4.
That’s why the Clippers’ tough and physical defense needs to do a better job at trying to keep him in check, especially with Kristaps Porzingis out with a knee injury. However, it seems like Marcus Morris may have taken it a bit too far.
Luka Doncic Thinks Marcus Morris Tried To Hurt Him
The controversial forward appeared to intentionally step on Doncic’s bad ankle. He had a lot of space to move, yet he happened to step right there. Needless to say, the Slovenian star didn’t care for that ‘unintentional’ gesture:
Marcus Morris did this on purpose, he really tried to hurt the ankle of Luka Doncic…NBA suspension coming pic.twitter.com/1XUtuvtTP1
— TEGI (@TegiOfficial) August 26, 2020
Here’s a great look that demonstrates how reasonable it is to wonder if #Clippers #MarcusMorris intentionally stepped on #Mavs #LukaDoncic pic.twitter.com/XQTGM5vZB9
— fishsports (@fishsports) August 26, 2020
“I have my own thoughts. I hope it wasn’t intentional. Tell me, what do you think? I don’t want to talk to him. He’s just saying a lot of bad stuff to me all the game. I just don’t want to talk to him. I just want to move on. Like I say, everybody is going to have their own opinion. I just hope it wasn’t intentional. If that was intentional, that’s really bad,” Doncic said.
“I hope it wasn’t intentional. Tell me, what do you think?”
-Luka Doncic on Morris stepping on his ankle
“I don’t want to talk to him. I’ve just got to move on.”
MORE⬇️https://t.co/KpoROKlc8S #Mavs #MFFL @richiewhitt @fishsports @TheCrossover @SInow pic.twitter.com/kVIuQ0G1oS
— Bri Amaranthus (@BriAmaranthus) August 26, 2020
Marcus Morris Fired Back At Critics
Morris was quick to deny the rumors and shut down the narrative of him stepping on Doncic’s bad ankle on purpose, claiming he plays the game with respect and that he wasn’t going to apologize because he didn’t do anything.
“I play this game with a level of respect for myself and other players. To think I would try to injure somebody is crazy to me. 10 years going against the best. I stand on morals and hard work. I compete and leave it out there every game. Basketball has never been that serious to try to hurt somebody. I’m not apologizing for s— because I know what I put into this game day in and day out. It was a mistake deal with it. Competing is why I play,” Morris tweeted.
I play this game with a level of respect for myself and other players. To think I would try to injure somebody is crazy to me. 10 years going against the best. I stand on morals and hard work. I compete and leave it out there every game.
— Marcus Morris (@MookMorris2) August 26, 2020
Basketball has never been that serious to try to hurt somebody. Im not apologizing for shit because I know what I put into this game day in and day out. It was a mistake deal wit it. Competing is why I play.
— Marcus Morris (@MookMorris2) August 26, 2020
Marcus’ NBA reputation precedes him. He’s well-known for trying to get into his rival’s head and being a bit too physical from time to time. We’ll have to give him the benefit of the doubt but honestly, the footage doesn’t help his case.
