LA Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. adamantly denied that he intentionally stepped on Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic‘s sprained left ankle during Tuesday night’s Game 5.
After a made basket by the Clippers early in the third quarter, Morris jogged from the left wing toward Doncic, who was awaiting an inbounds. Morris’ left foot landed on the back of Doncic’s left foot, knocking Doncic’s shoe off.
“I play this game with a level of respect for myself and other players. To think I would try to injure somebody is crazy to me,” Morris wrote on Twitter after the Clippers’ 154-111 blowout win. “10 years going against the best. I stand on morals and hard work. I compete and leave it out there every game.”
In a follow-up tweet, Morris added, “Basketball has never been that serious to try to hurt somebody. Im not apologizing for s— 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.”
I play this game with a level of respect for myself and other players. To think I would try to injure somebody is crazy to me. 10 years going against the best. I stand on morals and hard work. I compete and leave it out there every game.
— Marcus Morris (@MookMorris2) August 26, 2020
Doncic appeared skeptical that Morris accidentally landed on the ankle he injured during Game 3.
“I have my own thoughts,” said Doncic, who had 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in the loss a couple of days after his 43-point, 17-rebound, 13-assist showing in Dallas’ Game 4 win. “I hope it wasn’t intentional. Tell me what you think.”
Doncic paused after inquiring about the reporter’s thoughts, raising his eyebrows, tilting his head and smirking.
“I just hope it wasn’t intentional, but every person is going to have their own thoughts,” Doncic said. “Just move on from it.”
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, who was ejected from the game in the third quarter, also said he hoped Morris didn’t intentionally step on Doncic’s injured ankle.
“That’s all I’ll say about it,” Carlisle said.
Doncic said Morris, the Clipper who has defended him most during the series, did not offer an explanation. Nor was Doncic interested in hearing anything more from Morris, a relentless trash-talker.
“I don’t want to talk to him,” Doncic said. “He’s just saying a lot of bad stuff to me all the game. I just don’t want to talk to him. I just want to move on. Like I say, everybody is going to have their own opinion. I just hope it wasn’t intentional. If that was intentional, that’s really bad.”
Source : ESPN
