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Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic did not take it personally when Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris stepped on his previously injured left ankle in Game 5 of the team's first-round series.
However, the Mavs star has less respect for Morris after the veteran was assessed a flagrant 2 and an ejection for a hard foul on Sunday.
Doncic said he initially did not feel Morris' unfortunate misstep in Game 5 was purposeful, but he is now unsure of Morris' intentions after the events that transpired during Game 6 of the Mavs-Clippers series.
Mavericks’ Luka Doncic on Clippers’ Marcus Morris ejection: “Terrible foul. Two games in a row he did something like that. I really hoped the first one wasn’t on purpose but looking back at the foul this game, you know what I think. I don’t want to deal with that kind of player.” pic.twitter.com/em8UgPGjlB
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) August 30, 2020
Morris was the subject of skepticism and criticism after he stepped on Doncic's ankle.
The 30-year-old said on Twitter after Game 5 that he plays “with a level of respect for myself and other players.” Morris was also unapologetic to the Mavs and Doncic in a separate tweet:
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“Basketball has never been that serious to try to hurt somebody,” Morris said, referring to the incident when he stepped on Doncic's foot. “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.”
Nevertheless. Morris seems to be digging himself a deeper hole.
Clippers head coach Doc Rivers attempted to stick up for his veteran, claiming Morris was actually making a play on the ball and the follow-through made the foul on the Mavs star look more egregious.
Whether Morris was indeed making a basketball play is up for interpretation, but his subsequent stare as the gun fell to the floor seemed to indicate intent.
One thing is for sure: Doncic will not be buying Morris' claims this time around.
