Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Doc: Idea that Morris would hurt Doncic 'absurd'

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Wednesday, 26 August 2020 18:01

Marcus Morris Sr. and Doc Rivers said it is "absolutely absurd" that anybody would suggest the LA Clippers power forward would intentionally try to hurt Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic.

On Wednesday, Morris again denied that he intentionally stepped on Doncic's sprained left ankle during Tuesday night's Game 5.

"Somebody would actually really like try to make a case for me trying to hurt another player intentionally," Morris said of why he felt the need to initially defend himself on social media after Game 5. "I stand on respect, morals and hard work, and my family watching [me play] this game. I approach this game with the utmost respect for every player. I have been in many battles with great players and not once have I ever tried to do anything dirty as far as taking a player out of a game. ... Luka is a great player for years to come but to try to disrespect my character, I felt the need to speak on that."

"One thing I am not is a dirty player," Morris added. "And I hang my hat on being a hard worker. I am a respected man in this league and I hope that people look at that and know me as who I am and I would never go that far, trying to hurt somebody. I just think that's absurd and it's just too far."

Rivers was upset that anyone would push the narrative that Morris tried to step on Doncic's injured left ankle on purpose when Morris jogged from the left wing toward Doncic after a made basket by the Clippers early in the third quarter. Morris' left foot landed on the back of Doncic's left foot, knocking Doncic's shoe off, and the Clippers forward was called for a loose ball foul on the play.

"The Marcus thing is absurd," Rivers said Wednesday. "I don't even know why we're actually talking about it other than someone is trying to -- whoever it is is trying to push some type of narrative. That to me, I was shocked when I -- I didn't hear it until this morning. It's absolutely absurd, whoever is pushing that."

A source told ESPN that the Mavericks also requested the league office review a possible uncalled landing space violation on a 3-pointer Doncic made over Morris with 9:33 remaining in the third quarter. Doncic grimaced as he backpedaled down the court after the shot.

"There's no place for plays like that in our game," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said when asked Wednesday about that play. "The league has the ability retroactively to look at that and determine whether they felt it was intentional or not. Look, I don't know what goes through Morris' head. I know he came out and had some tweets last night or whatever.

"This is something the league's going to have to deal with. We want to keep all our players out of danger. We want to keep the Clippers players out of danger, too. This should be hard competition, but it should be clean competition, too. I know that's the way the league feels, and that's the way we feel as well."

Doncic is listed as questionable for Thursday's Game 6 due to his sprained left ankle, but Carlisle said he expects Doncic to play. Mavs co-star Kristaps Porzingis is also listed as questionable, but Carlisle indicated it's likely that Porzingis will miss his third consecutive game due to right knee soreness.

"As hard as he's working on this and as much as he wants to be out there, I'm personally not optimistic about this," Carlisle said. "We'll see where we are tomorrow. I hope I'm wrong."

Morris made it clear that anyone who thinks he is a dirty player is wrong.

"I hope he's OK," Morris said of Doncic. "I actually apologized right when it happened. Mistakes happen."

"I have never been a guy that tries to take somebody out," Morris added. "I honestly didn't even know he had a left ankle injury. I have a son coming, I have kids. I have my family here. I just felt like to try to find a narrative, try to create a story, I just felt like it was too far and I won't [let someone] disrespect my character like that."

Read 317 times

Soccer

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-hal...

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Kylian Mbappé ended his goal drought with a thunderous strike and midfielder Jude Bellingham scored...

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Barbra Banda's goal stood up as the winner to l...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams sustained season-ending te...

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsScotty Pippen Jr. already had plenty of fond memories of watching h...

Baseball

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

EmailPrintRico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title when he hit a major-league-best...

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated