Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks swung fast and hard and never looked back
The 25-year-old superstar set a defiant tone by starting four for four, hitting rainbow threes from 28 and 31 feet, before turning to talk trash with courtside fans with each swish.
“That gets me going. Everybody knows that by now,” Doncic said after his 36-point masterclass, propelling the Dallas Mavericks' return to the NBA Finals after closing out the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5.
Luka Doncic & Kyrie Irving put on impeccable Game 5 performances, combining for 72 PTS as the @dallasmavs advance to the NBA Finals!
— NBA (@NBA) May 31, 2024
Luka: 36 PTS | 10 REB | 6 3PM
Kyrie: 36 PTS | 5 AST | 4 3PM
Game 1 of #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV is Thursday, 6/6 at 8:30pm/et on ABC! pic.twitter.com/2njO9yiiW9
Doncic finished the game with 36 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists en route to winning the Western Conference Finals MVP award.
Asked on elaborating a heated exchange with a Timberwolves fan in the game, Doncic refused to go into specifics.
“I can't tell you. If I tell you, I can sue him,” he added.
As per Ben Golliver of The Washington Post: "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 the court during this early 20-point flurry."
Luka Doncic has every right to talk trash cause he has 20 points on 8/10 and the first quarter isn’t even overpic.twitter.com/fzATVNz8pl
— Grace (@gracesporttakes) May 31, 2024
Six years into the league, Doncic hasn't been to an NBA Finals.
Until now.
“It’s not easy, it's a very hard road but we’re here. It’s a good feeling. Just go out there and perform. It’s us [Mavericks] against them {Timberwolves]. Just staying together but that feeling is great. “
After missing the playoffs last season, the Mavericks are now in the NBA Finals and the superstar recognized the whole squad for sticking throughout the season.
“I think we have a great team but more importantly we have great guys on the team. From players to coaches from everybody in the team, we have great guys and that’s the most important thing.”
"We got a great team, but most importantly we have great guys... we stay together, and we just play basketball."
— NBA (@NBA) May 31, 2024B
Luka on the Mavs making The Finals one year after missing the postseason 💯#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/ZeOMNPAH3h
But as the attention shifts now to the Boston Celtics and the NBA Finals, Doncic is wary of the challenge ahead.
“They're [Celtics] the best team in the NBA. They have by far the best record, have incredible weapons on offense and defense. So we have gonna play really hard and amazing basketball to beat them.”
