Did Timberwolves fan’s disrespectful gesture trigger Luka Doncic to go off in Game 5?
Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic may have taken one Minnesota Timberwolves fan’s disrespectful gesture during Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals personally.
Doncic outscored Minnesota by himself in the first quarter with 20 points on 8/11 shooting with 4 three-pointers. The Mavericks buried the Timberwolves in an early 35-19 hole in front of a capacity crowd at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn.
LUKA DONČIĆ IS ON FIRE
He’s got 20 first-quarter points! pic.twitter.com/jQgEHRLdX3
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 31, 2024
Throughout his scoring outburst in the first, Doncic reportedly kept glancing over at one fan who taunted him to begin the contest. The Timberwolves fan was said to have been waving a handkerchief at Doncic in an attempt to mock the Mavericks star for constantly crying for fouls.
A Target Center fan was waving a handkerchief at Luka Doncic early in the first quarter, apparently in reference to him crying for fouls. Doncic saw him and smiled, and now he keeps looking to the fan's side of court during this early 20-point flurry.
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 31, 2024
The Mavericks completed the gentleman’s sweep of the Timberwolves with a 124-103 win to secure their spot in the NBA Finals. But Doncic’s treatment toward the fan during the game was anything but gentlemanly.
Midway through the third quarter, Doncic was seen cursing at the fan after scoring a basket to give the Mavericks an 82-46 lead. Note: the video contains profanity.
“Who’s crying motherf—er?” Doncic appeared to say to the fan.
Luka Dončić to a Timberwolves fan who’s talking trash:
“Who’s crying motherf*cker?” pic.twitter.com/214wfFLDKJ
— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) May 31, 2024
Doncic finished with 36 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists on 14/22 shooting.
Doncic has been open about how much he enjoys opposing fans taunting him during Mavs road games. Perhaps fans might consider thinking twice next time before giving Doncic any extra motivation during an elimination game.
Barring an impromptu flight to Dallas just for fun, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards doesn’t look like he’s going to keep the promise he made to Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons after Game 4.
