Charles Barkley Names Main Problem Holding Luka Doncic Back In NBA Playoffs

The Dallas Mavericks find themselves down 1-0 in their second-round series vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder after falling 117-95 on Tuesday night.

Superstar Luka Doncic struggled in the loss, scoring just 19 points on 6 of 19 shooting, including 1 of 8 from behind the three-point line. He also racked up five turnovers.

Kyrie Irving was not able to get too much going either, scoring 20 points on 7 of 14 from the field, accounting for four turnovers himself.

Those two led the team in scoring, not getting much help from their supporting casts, which has been the theme these playoffs for Dallas.

And that’s exactly what Charles Barkley considers to be the Mavs’ biggest problem, and what will likely hold Doncic and Irving back from advancing to the next round, let alone winning the championship this year.

“The problem that the Mavs are gonna have, they (Doncic and Irving) have to have a fabulous game,” Barkley said. “I’m talking they both have to get thirty and have double-digit assists.”

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts to a three point shot made by guard Kyrie Irving Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

“If you look at the rest of their team, there’s nobody on their team that goes one-on-one except them two. The rest of their guys get all their points on Luka and Kyrie,” Barkley added.

Barkley proceeded to discuss how the only other player on the team to average double-digits this postseason is PJ Washington.

“That’s not going to get it done against this team,” he said.