BOSTON — Luka Doncic didn't want to talk about the past or the future.
He wanted to live it as it was, a tough moment of anguish after losing his first NBA Finals appearance. The emotion Doncic felt, he described as sadness, led to his brief response.
The Dallas Mavericks' NBA Finals dream is over, but it's only the beginning
When the topic of participating in the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers came up, Doncic cut the question off before it was even finished.
“I don't want to talk about what's next. I have some decisions to make,” Doncic said. “Just trying to get a little bit healthier. We'll talk about it. I have an interview in two days, right? I'll answer that then.”
The Mavericks conducted player exit interviews after the end of the consolation round on Monday, so Doncic won't be available immediately until later this week. At NBA Finals media day last week, Doncic said he wanted to play if his lingering right knee injury allowed him to.
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Monday's comments add further uncertainty to Doncic's availability after he averaged 29.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists in the Finals. Despite those impressive numbers, Doncic shot a dismal 24.4 percent from the 3-point line.
Doncic was on the initial list of 16 players for Slovenia's Olympic qualifying squad, which begins July 2 in Greece, exactly two weeks after the Mavericks lost Game 5. Slovenia plays a pre-tournament exhibition match against Brazil in Greece on June 28, giving Doncic 10 days to decide whether to opt out of playing for the national team or play through the pain.
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Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (opposite) embraces guard Luka Doncic as confetti falls after the Mavericks' loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic sits on the bench during the final minute of their loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown hoists the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after the Celtics' Game 5 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (bottom) and guard Kyrie Irving sit on the bench during the final minutes of their loss to the Boston Celtics during Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks forward Tim Hardaway Jr. leaves the court amid confetti after losing to the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (opposite) embraces guard Luka Doncic as time expires following the NBA's loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) grabs the ankle of Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) as he brings the ball up the court during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Boston, Monday, June 17, 2024.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) brings the ball up the floor as Boston Celtics fans, including actor Donnie Wahlberg (right), celebrate the basket during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) dunks over Dallas Mavericks center Derek Lively II (2) and forward P.J. Washington (25) during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday, June 17, 2024 in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) is congratulated by guard Kyrie Irving (11) as Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and Celtics fans leave the court after coach Jason Kidd calls a timeout during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Boston, Monday, June 17, 2024.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)A Boston Celtics fan holds up a sign taunting Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, left, and guard Kyrie Irving during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) receives a pat on the back from forward P.J. Washington (25) during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics in Boston, Monday, June 17, 2024.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)The second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) steals the ball from Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Boston, Monday, June 17, 2024.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) sits on the bench during a timeout in the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) charges at Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving looks down during a stoppage of play in the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) turns the ball over against Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) scores past Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) and guard Luka Doncic (77) watch the game during a timeout in the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)A Boston Celtics fan booed Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday, June 17, 2024 in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) celebrates after making a three-point shot during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Officials stepped in to separate Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) and Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Boston on Monday, June 17, 2024.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks center Derek Lively II (2) dunks over Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday, June 17, 2024 in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after a three-point shot against the Boston Celtics during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) is guarded by Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) and forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday, June 17, 2024 in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis receives a standing ovation as he checks into the game during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) battles for the ball with Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday, June 17, 2024 in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) is waved to by head coach Jason Kidd during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) turns the ball over between Boston Celtics guard July Holiday (4), forward Jayson Tatum (0) and center Al Horford (42) during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks players high-five before Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics on Monday, June 17, 2024 in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Jack Harlow watches the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics warm up before Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic signs autographs before Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic warms up before Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic signs autographs before Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic warms up before Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic takes to the court to warm up before Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)Fans wait for the gates to open before Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston.(Smiley N. Poole/Staff Photographer)
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