How Golden State Warriors neutralized Luka Doncic in Game 1
By Tony Pesta
Keeping Luka Doncic at bay will be key for the Golden State Warriors. Here is how the Dubs managed to successfully neutralize Doncic in Game 1.
The Golden State Warriors deployed a very specific plan for slowing down Luka Doncic in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
It’s a tall task to stop one of the most skilled players in the entire NBA. Doncic has no shortage of moves that can free him for easy shots and his ability to pass makes him the ultimate weapon on offense.
Nonetheless, Golden State managed to force Doncic into one of the least productive playoff games of his career. How did they do it?
Nothing in the paint
Rule one was keeping Doncic out of the paint. Lanky, athletic, versatile defenders like Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney were constantly forming a wall around Doncic, keeping him from getting into the heart of the defense.
By taking away the paint, it was more difficult for Doncic to get himself going. He was not able to hunt his shots as effortlessly with so much attention on keeping him away from the bucket.
Instead, Luka was forced into taking shots away from the hoop. While he is still an effective shooter — it’s going to be tougher to win a seven games series with contested jumpers than layups.
His greatness shined through, regardless. Doncic was able to get to the free-throw line and his incredible playmaking generated numerous open 3-pointers for his teammates. Fortunately, Dallas was unable to make the Warriors pay for this strategy of packing the paint.
Shrinking the floor allowed the Warriors to limit Luka’s options. The game never felt like Doncic’s world and this is exactly what the Dubs need to continue doing in order to keep him on his heels.
Attack, attack, attack
An underrated aspect of the Warriors’ defense is actually their offense. The Warriors looked to attack Doncic relentlessly, forcing him to cover shooters sprinting through screens and putting him in one-on-one scenarios with Andrew Wiggins.
By exerting Luka on defense, his strengths on offense become weaker. He’s only human and the first two rounds of the playoffs have already taken a heavy toll on Luka. Continuing to exhaust him on defense by attacking Doncic nonstop will allow the Warriors to defend him easier.
Of course, another aspect of this head-on approach to wearing Luka out is the Warriors constantly shifting defense. Luka is a master of picking apart NBA defenses — but when the defense is never giving him the same look twice, this becomes a challenge.
The Warriors threw all kinds of schemes at Luka to make him uncomfortable. A box-and-one, multiple zones and various defenders to keep him from gaining a rhythm.
Let’s make one thing clear, no one should expect Doncic to be minimized for the remainder of the series. Yet, Game 1 showed the Warriors that making life difficult for Doncic is possible.