Doncic admits 'I've got to do better' amid conditioning criticism

Luka Doncic admitted his conditioning and weight must improve amid criticism following the Dallas Mavericks' fifth consecutive home defeat in the NBA.

Doncic was a topic of discussion during Tuesday's 102-99 loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Brooklyn Nets, with Hall of Famer and analyst Reggie Miller critical of the two-time All-Star.

Miller said Doncic must "trim down" his physique, with reports claiming the 22-year-old reported to training camp overweight for the second consecutive year.

After posting 28 points, nine assists and six rebounds, Doncic addressed the criticism post-game.

"People are going to talk about it, yes or no," said Doncic, who made just three of his 11 three-pointers in Dallas. "I know I've got to do better."

Doncic, who led Slovenia to a fourth-placed finish at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, added: "I had a long summer.

"I had the Olympics, took three weeks off, and I relaxed a little bit. Maybe too much. I've just got to get back on track."

Doncic is averaging 25.5 points, 8.5 assists and 7.9 rebounds per game this season.

His field-goal percentage (44.4) is his lowest since his rookie season in 2018-19 (42.7), while Doncic's percentage from three-point range (32.5) was only lower in 2019-20 (21.6).

Doncic has also been dealing with an ankle injury as the Mavericks (11-12) sit seventh in the Western Conference.

"It's still painful, but I try to play and try to practice," Doncic said of the ankle. "But it's still painful."