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'We didn’t do nothing yet,' Luka Doncic channels Kobe Bryant’s ‘job’s not finished’ mentality after Game 3 win

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Satvika Deshpande | Last updated 5/12/24

The Dallas Mavericks have taken a 2-1 lead against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a thrilling game 3. Luka Doncic had an incredible double-double performance in the win but the star is not done yet. During the press conference, Doncic showed his competitiveness with his eagerness for the upcoming games.

Luka Doncic gave a glimpse of his ‘Mamba Mentality’ while he spoke about the second win in the series. The star spoke highly of the team’s confidence about winning in the Western Conference but also acknowledged the tough competition ahead.

If you’re here you got to believe. I believe we can (win the West) but it’s going to be hard. We didn’t do nothing yet. We won two games and we need to win four. We didn't do anything yet. And we just gotta keep going. Luka Doncic at the post-game presser

NBA legend Kobe Bryant also gave a similar answer during the 2009 NBA finals. As the star’s team the Los Angeles Lakers was up by 2-0 against the Orlando Magic, Bryant was not in a celebratory mood. Upon asking about his serious demeanor in the press conference, the Black Mamba gave the ‘job’s not finished’ answer which went on to be one of the most iconic NBA quotes in history.

Mavs star Luka Doncic on the team’s confidence:

“If you’re here you got to believe. I believe we can (win the West) but it’s going to be hard. We didn’t do nothing yet. We won two games and we need to win four.” pic.twitter.com/1QZ5ImkNJV
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) May 11, 2024

Bryant and the Lakers further went on to win the series 4-1 and the championship that year. The Dallas Mavericks will certainly try to replicate that and advance to the Western Conference Finals by defeating the Thunder. The competition will be a tough one as the Mavericks started the series with a loss, but have managed to find their way back in the series.

Luka Doncic is ‘battling’ through injuries against the OKC Thunder

Doncic is channeling Mamba Mentality in more ways than one as he is playing through injuries in the second-round series. Despite not being the leading scorer for his team, Doncic gave his all on the court to slow down opponents.

After the game, the Slovenian was visibly in pain as he walked off the court. The star was walking relatively slow which raised concerns for the viewers. In the post-game presser, upon asking about what was hurting the guard, Doncic gave a heartbreaking response.

Everything. I’m just battling out there. Luka Doncic at the post-game presser

Luka Doncic clearly was laboring after the game. I asked him during the postgame presser what was hurting as he walked off: “Everything,” he said. “I’m just battling out there.” pic.twitter.com/Fh94yc2ECf
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) May 11, 2024

The star has reportedly hurt his knee again during the series. However, Doncic is aware that the team needs him to win the second round. The star might continue to play with the short rest period between games until the Mavericks secure the win.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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