Luka Doncic's frustration after Wednesday night's blowout loss to the Suns spilled out in his postgame press conference.
The Mavericks star, who was called for his eighth technical foul of the season, spoke to ESPN as he explained why he had security remove a heckling Suns fan during the third quarter at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. got into a heated argument with Tim McMahon.
“He wasn't just that. [the fan]I knew you would be the first to say something like that,” Doncic said, adding that he had no intention of repeating what the fans were shouting.
“It's funny, you always seem to be the first to say something bad about me.”
Doncic disputed McMahon's reporting on the incident in an X post, claiming that the fan was “sitting two rows back.” [the] Mid-Court Press Row”—shouted: “Luca, I’m tired! Put your butt on the treadmill!
McMahon disagreed with Doncic.
“Luca, first of all, 99 percent of what I wrote about you was good,” he said.
“Secondly, the man was sitting two rows behind us.”
When Doncic asked McMahon if this was the first time he'd heard a heckler yelling at him, the reporter replied: He was definitely yelling the whole game. ”
Doncic also claimed that fans were “taunting me” during “the entire first half” of the game, which the Suns won 132-109.
When asked why he didn't let the fans out during the first half, Doncic said: They paid for the ticket, which was enough for me. It's a bit of a frustration. ”
Doncic was walking down the court when he stopped and looked in the direction of the press. video of the incident Posted by Duane Rankin of Arizona Central.
Rankin also reported that fans called Doncic “tired” and told him to “get on the treadmill.”
Doncic then waved at Mavericks vice president of security Brian Kinzig, and arena staff removed the heckler.
McMahon also posted a video of Suns fans leaving their seats.
Booker saw Doncic's interaction with Suns fans on social media after the game. According to ESPN, Then he saw the man wearing the No. 1 jersey and “smirked.”
“I appreciate the support,” said Booker, who had 46 points (17-of-23 shooting, 6-of-10 from 3-point range), seven rebounds and three assists for the Suns. “I don't know what he said. I hope he didn't cross the line too far. I'll get his information. If you find out, let me know.”
Asked if he plans to give fans free tickets to Suns games, Booker said, “It depends,” adding that he previously played in Dallas.
“I hope what he did wasn't too disrespectful, but I know in this crowded environment — we played a playoff series here — countless times,” Booker told ESPN. I asked about it,” he said.
“I don't usually hear things like that at home. I think it was different for Luka, but that's part of the game. I don't usually pay attention to what I hear.”
Its history dates back to 2021, when Dallas defeated Phoenix in the Western Conference semifinals.
Doncic, who had 34 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, received a technical call for the second straight game as he limped to the locker room after “twisting” his right ankle.
“He was complaining a lot and we asked him to stop before we did that,” crew chief David Guthrie told pool reporters, according to ESPN.
“He didn't stop and kept complaining, and when he left the floor at halftime, he yelled and complained again at the officials.”
The Mavericks (24-20) will play the Hawks (18-26) in Atlanta on Friday.
