X

Luka Doncic Says Marcus Morris Apologized for Controversial Play from 2020 Playoffs

Rob Goldberg@@TheRobGoldbergFeatured Columnist IVMay 17, 2021

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 23: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks drives against Marcus Morris Sr. #31 of the LA Clippers during the first quarter in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 23, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers will play in the first round of the playoffs for the second year in a row, but Luka Doncic and Marcus Morris have apparently moved past their rivalry that began last postseason.

Doncic said Morris apologized to him during a game earlier this season, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.

"He's a hell of a player, hell of a defender," Doncic said of Morris. "Trash talk is always there, and if it's not, you're not really competing. It's going to be great."

The controversy began last year when Morris stepped on Luka's already injured ankle in Game 5 of the series, although the forward denied it was intentional:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

Marcus Morris says he didn’t intentionally step on Luka’s injured ankle in Game 5 pic.twitter.com/M50hls08Vc

One game later, Morris was ejected for a flagrant foul on the Mavericks' star:

SportsCenter @SportsCenter

Marcus Morris was given a flagrant 2 and was ejected for this foul on Luka Doncic. pic.twitter.com/Cr7iTOegJe

The Clippers eventually won the series in six games before suffering a second-round loss to the Denver Nuggets.