Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks let a golden opportunity slip away on Monday as they dropped another crucial loss against the Sacramento Kings. The Mavericks had the perfect chance to build on their momentum after two huge wins over the Los Angeles Lakers as they faced a depleted Kings lineup.

But the Mavericks went on to do Mavericks things and shot themselves in the foot with another slow start, which left Doncic rather clueless when asked about their lack of energy after their 113-106 loss to the Kings (via Callie Caplan of Dallas News).

“I don't know. I don't know, but it's been a lot of games. I don't know what to say.”

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Clearly, the 22-year-old Doncic is frustrated.

The Mavericks cut the Lakers' lead to just two games for fifth place in the Western Conference with back-to-back wins against the defending champions. Monday though provided the worst possible outcome for Doncic and company as the Lakers won against the Orlando Magic while they lost to a shorthanded Kings playing without De'Aron Fox and Marvin Bagley III, while Harrison Barnes was limited to just 24 minutes.

To be fair, the Mavericks were shorthanded against the Kings as well as they were without key players Kristaps Porzingis, Maxi Kleber, Josh Richardson, and JJ Redick. Doncic did heavy lifting anew with 24 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists in 38 minutes.

Seeing the result, one would think if it would've been better off for Luka Doncic to have sat this one out as well to try and get some rest before facing the Golden State Warriors on the road on Tuesday.