Carlisle: Defenders are 'beating the shit' out of Doncic
Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle isn't pleased with the level of physicality that opponents use when defending star sophomore Luka Doncic.
"They're beating the shit out of him. He's handling it well, but teams are taking liberties on him," Carlisle said Saturday, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.
He added: "We've just got to make the officials aware of it constantly ... He's got scratches on his arms all the time and stuff like that. It's not good."
Doncic was briefly placed in concussion protocol last week after taking a hard fall against the Los Angeles Lakers. He suffered a sprained wrist and back contusion on the play but didn't miss any games.
He got up. Made both FTs. pic.twitter.com/n1IQbMDxTA
— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) December 30, 2019
The 20-year-old's efforts this season have the Mavericks sitting firmly in the Western Conference playoff mix with a 22-12 record entering Saturday's game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Through 30 contests, Doncic is third in both points (29.1) and assists (8.9) per game.