After an underwhelming three quarters, Dallas Mavericks rookie Luka Doncic helped lead his team back from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit, scoring 10 points including a floater that tied Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers with seven seconds remaining.

Then, with 2.1 seconds remaining Wesley Matthews was called for the reach-in foul near halfcourt on the best player in the NBA.

https://twitter.com/mutacious/status/1057861581290201089

Lebron James, of course, sunk one of the free throws as the Mavs lost their fifth straight, 113-112.

But did Matthews know the Mavs didn’t have a foul to give?

According to the Dallas Morning News, he did.

“I shouldn’t have put us in a spot for that to happen, so yeah, it was the right call,” Matthews told the DMN. “I knew the situation. I wanted to make a play. I was ready to make a play. Can’t put us in a position to make that call.”

Matthews’ otherwise solid 21-point performance was overshadowed by the late-second blunder.

Vote: Do you think Matthews thought the Mavs had a foul to give?

Do you think Wes Matthews was aware the Mavs didn’t have a foul to give?

— Dallas Sports Fanatic (@Dallas_Fanatic) November 1, 2018

 

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Reaction

Wesley Matthews… pic.twitter.com/YHhdjVWyvC

— /r/NBA (@NBA_Reddit) November 1, 2018

Fans and Media: There’s no chance the Mavs keep that top-5 protected pick with this team

Wesley Matthews: pic.twitter.com/wWrGZ4Uu9Y

— Harrison Graham (@Harrison1033) November 1, 2018

Wesley Matthews is not the defender you think he is. pic.twitter.com/hTfRd8fsBO

— Matt Galatzan (@MattGalatzan) November 1, 2018

LOLOL. Have a good night Wesley Matthews. https://t.co/Tz7x5nLHu3

— Shawn Jacob (@ShawnJacob32) November 1, 2018

Good morning. Wesley Matthews, what did you do? https://t.co/4Z8kNq1Wjm pic.twitter.com/BUfU0abaAH

— Tom Ziller (@teamziller) November 1, 2018

https://twitter.com/nick_pants/status/1057861248451334144/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1057861248451334144&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsday.dallasnews.com%2Fdallas-mavericks%2Fmavericks%2F2018%2F11%2F01%2Fmavericks-cant-complete-comeback-lakers-twitter-reacts-wild-ending-wesley-matthews-late-foul

 

After an ugly first half, Doncic went 5-for-6 in the 2nd to finish with 14-5-7 in 28 MIN including this game-tying floater. Too big for Josh Hart and a savvy slow-down finish. Mavs offense looked far more fluid when Doncic shared the backcourt with JJ Barea. pic.twitter.com/li16iJltZA

— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) November 1, 2018

After a poised and collected shot by Luka Doncic to tie the game, Wesley Matthews inexplicably fouled LeBron as he crossed the halfcourt line. That proved to be the difference. Unfortunate ending for a Mavericks team that had battled back from a double-digit deficit. pic.twitter.com/KwWE8aPCZP

— Positive Residual (@presidual) November 1, 2018

Dawg fuck Wesley Matthews on everything

— SRIII (@Selwyn_Robins) November 1, 2018

Me looking at Wesley Matthews….. pic.twitter.com/4phcb3JXO0

— Marco Chavez (@marcogreat1) November 1, 2018