'I used to have fun... I don't feel it's me out there': Dejected Luka Doncic says issues in his private life are distracting his game for Dallas Mavericks after Friday's defeat to Charlotte Hornets

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After the Mavericks fell to the Hornets Friday night for their third straight loss, Luka Doncic cut a dejected figure in the postgame press conference - and said he's been frustrated for 'a lot of reasons' including issues in his personal life.

Doncic's 34 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists were not enough to prevent a 117-109 loss at home, and the Slovenian star acknowledged he hadn't been playing with as much joy of late. 

'It's really frustrating. I think you can see it with me on the court,' he told reporters after the game.

 'Sometimes I don't feel it's me, just being out there. I used to have more fun, smiling on [the] court. But it's just been so frustrating for a lot of reasons, not just basketball.'

When asked what was going on off the court, Doncic didn't go into specifics but said there was 'a lot going on.'

Luka Doncic and the Mavericks have tumbled down the Western Conference standings

Doncic looked extremely dejected after the Mavs' third straight loss on Friday night

The star's comments came after yet another disappointing result for the Mavs, who have endured a brutal March and could miss the postseason altogether.

With a 4-7 record this month - after ending February with three straight losses - Dallas has dropped to 11th place in the West and now faces a fight to even qualify for the play-in tournament with eight games remaining.

This was not the way the Mavs envisioned their season going.

The team traded for Kyrie Irving on February 5 - creating arguably the league's best offensive backcourt - but it's become a fringe playoff team in that time instead of a contender.

Since Irving's debut on February 8, the team is just 7-12, though he's missed five of those games.