Mavericks’ Luka Doncic had an issue with a Suns fan
Could the Mavs’ star be forgiven for his loss of temper? Maybe. Either way he will need to be as cool and calm as can be if he intends to help his team back into a series which they are now losing 2-0.
Normally known for his playful demeanor and silky skills, the three time NBA All-Star definitely lost his cool during the second game of his team’s playoff series against the Phoenix Suns
Mavericks’ Luka Doncic tried to confront Suns’ fan
Even a casual observer could have seen that Wednesday night’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoneix Suns was an intense affair. It was the second game of their best of seven series with the Suns leading 1-0 and both teams were going at it. Above all there was Mavs’ star Luka Doncic who posted 24 points in just the first half alone and more over was happy to let the Phoenix faithful know about it. Indeed, the Slovenian could be seen repeatedly locked in a back and forth with the Suns’ fans after practically each one of his baskets. Doncic was most definitely in his element, but Phoenix’s fans were having none of it. Truthfully it was only a matter of time before things boiled over and that they did in the third quarter, when Doncic was walking to the locker room during the third quarter. Having clearly taken issue with something that was said to him by a fan, the Mavericks’ star turned back and began to have a go at the fan in question before he was held back.
“It’s been affecting him,” were the words spoken post game which confirmed what was glaringly obvious on the night, Doncic was in a personal battle with the fans of the Phoenix Suns. That being said, it should be noted that the former NBA Rookie of the Year managed to keep himself in check in the second half, though it did little to prevent another Suns victory. With Phoenix now leading the series 2-0 after yet another superb performance by star point guard Chris Paul, it will require more than just Doncic keeping his cool if the Mavericks are to get back in the fight.
Can the Dallas Mavericks come back?
The Mavericks will now go home with a 2-0 deficit. Head coach and former Mavericks icon Jason Kidd was clear about the idea that Doncic who scored 35 points on the night following a 45-point performance in Game 1, will need help. “He had a great game, but no one else showed,’’ Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. ‘’We’ve got to get other guys shooting the ball better. We can’t win with just him out there scoring 30 a night. Not this time of the year and playing the best team in the league.”
As for Doncic himself, the Slovenian star was in a defiant mood as he looked towards Game 3 at home. “The mood is fine,’’ Doncic said. “I think a lot of players, it’s the first time in this situation. They’ve got to win four, so it’s not over yet. We are going to go back home, our crowd is amazing.” If the Mavs are to get anything from this series, it will have to start with a win on Friday night in Dallas when they host the Suns in Game 3 of their Western Conference semi-final series. For that to be the case, it will undoubtedly rest of Doncic’s shoulders.