Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Luka Doncic seemingly unleashed some of his frustration over the Dallas Mavericks’ struggles in the 2024 NBA Finals by making vulgar remarks to a Boston Celtics fan during the series-ending Game 5 at TD Garden.
It is unclear if the fan said anything to prompt such a remark from Doncic during the Mavericks’ 106-88 loss that closed the books on the 2023-24 NBA season. The Celtics won the 18th NBA championship in their franchise history while the Mavericks failed to add to their only title that was won back in 2011.
It wasn’t Doncic’s first testy exchange with a fan during the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Regarding what was said to him by a fan during Game 5 of the 2024 Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Doncic claimed, “If I tell you, I could sue him.”
Doncic then went on to have an up-and-down performance in his first NBA Finals appearance. His on-court demeanor toward the referees in particular was noticeable, especially given that teammates over the years have reportedly told him to stop whining, give more effort on defense and be in better shape.
During the NBA Finals, former Mavericks teammate Theo Pinson felt the need to come to the defense of the 25-year-old superstar, calling out haters and blaming the Mavericks’ supporting cast instead.
Doncic played through injuries to his chest, right knee and left ankle and reportedly took pain-killing injections to remain in action. He did manage to score 25 points in the first half of Dallas’ 38-point Game 4 victory that extended the series, but his 28 points and 12 rebounds in Game 5 weren’t enough to push it any further.
Former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised Doncic’s willingness to fight through those injuries, which may in turn have been a subtle shot at Cavs big man Jarrett Allen, who sat out Cleveland’s final eight playoff games with a rib injury.
Perhaps all of the pain and pressure finally caught up to Doncic after all, leading to his crude comments to wrap up the 2024 NBA season.
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