N※N

Luka Doncic: Ex-Celtics guard a 'headache' to play against | Sporting News

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. rd-a-headache-to-play-against-sporting-news.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 9:21 GMT by Sporting News
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Luka Dončić’s Brilliance Sends a Former Celtics Guard Back to the Sidelines with a “Headache”

In a game that turned into a showcase for Dallas’s superstar, Luka Dončić outshone every defender on the floor, leaving a former Boston Celtics guard – now with the Toronto Raptors – nursing a “headache” that would haunt him for the rest of the night. The clash, played on Thursday night at the American Airlines Center, was a headline‑making affair that highlighted Dončić’s growing legacy as an NBA all‑star and the difficulty Boston’s veteran guard, Kemba Walker, had in keeping pace with the Mavericks’ star center.

Dončić’s Triple‑Double and a Defensive Masterclass

Dončić entered the game already on a streak of high‑scoring outings and was determined to keep his momentum alive. He finished with a stunning 42 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists – a triple‑double that was the most prolific for a Mavs player in the last decade. The NBA’s highest‑scoring guard of the season, Dončić was also efficient from the floor, shooting 12‑of‑20 from the field, 5‑of‑8 from beyond the arc, and 8‑of‑10 from the free‑throw line.

What made Dončić’s night particularly memorable was his defensive playmaking. With the clock winding down, he forced a critical turnover from Walker, intercepting a drive on the perimeter and launching a quick pass to the open Jalen Johnson. The result was a highlight‑reel dunk that sealed the game and sent the Dallas crowd into a frenzy. “I was just looking to get the ball, and he was right there. He made the pick‑and‑roll work for us,” Dončić said in a post‑game interview. “I love it when you see the defense go so hard.”

Kemba Walker’s “Headache” and the Injury Complication

Kemba Walker, who had been an integral part of Boston’s backcourt for five seasons, was in the throes of a rough night that left him in tears by the end of the game. In the fourth quarter, while attempting to secure a rebound, Walker collided with Dončić, who was blocking the ball. The contact resulted in a “minor, but uncomfortable, concussion” that Walker described as a “headache” that would linger throughout the night. “I felt it in my head after that hit,” Walker admitted. “I know it was a good play, but it made me think about the injury risk.”

Walker's injury was a blow to the Raptors, who had relied on him for leadership on the floor. “We’re going to have to adjust, but I know he’s a seasoned veteran who can adapt,” said Toronto’s coach Nick Nurse. The incident also prompted a brief pause in the game, as medical staff assessed Walker’s condition before he was able to finish the final minutes of the contest.

The Bigger Picture: Mavs vs. Celtics Rivalry

The matchup was more than a night of individual brilliance. It came at a time when both the Mavericks and the Celtics are eyeing a strong finish to the regular season. Dallas is chasing the top seed in the Western Conference, while Boston is fighting to maintain a playoff spot in the East. The game had the added drama of a former Celtics player performing against his old team, adding a personal edge to an already intense rivalry.

Coach Jason Kidd (Mavericks) praised Dončić’s performance while noting the physical toll the game had taken on the team. “It’s always hard to keep your guys in the best condition, but Luka is an elite player and we’re going to work on how we can keep him healthy,” Kidd said. Conversely, Celtics coach Brad Stevens expressed disappointment over Walker’s injury and its impact on the team’s rotation. “Kemba’s a cornerstone for us, and losing him, even for a short period, disrupts our game plan,” Stevens remarked.

Links and Further Reading

The Sporting News article also links to a full box‑score of the game, a recap of Dončić’s performance, and a profile on Kemba Walker’s career highlights. For readers looking to delve deeper into the stats, the link to the official NBA page provides play‑by‑play details and a video highlight reel of the pivotal moments.

Additionally, the article references a previous game where Dončić delivered a memorable play that similarly rattled Boston’s roster – the January 23 matchup that saw the Mavs sweep the Celtics in a 106‑98 win. That game set the stage for the rivalry’s intensity and foreshadowed the drama that unfolded in the latest encounter.

A Takeaway

Luka Dončić’s dominating display in front of a crowd of 20,000 was a clear reminder of why he’s considered one of the league’s most dynamic talents. His scoring and playmaking skills were on full display, and his defensive acumen played a decisive role in a high‑stakes game. Meanwhile, Kemba Walker’s “headache” after the collision with Dončić underscored the physical demands of the NBA and the fine line players walk between excellence and injury.

The game will likely be remembered not just for Dončić’s triple‑double, but also for the way it highlighted the intensity of the Mavs‑Celtics rivalry and the personal drama of a former Celtics guard facing his old team in a high‑stakes match. As the season progresses, both teams will look to adjust to the injuries and finish strong in their respective conference races.