Dallas Mavericks Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic has found himself in hot water with NBA fans and analysts alike after a controversial on-court behavior in the team’s recent game against the Golden State Warriors.
Doncic roasting officials is nothing new. He is no stranger to controversy on the court, having been involved in several altercations with the officials in the past.
The Mavs point guard returned to the court yesterday after missing five straight games due to a thigh injury and hit the headline once again.
Why did Luka Doncic show a money motion towards the referee?
In the Golden State Warriors vs the Dallas Mavericks game yesterday, the Mavs’ players went on the wrong side of the court after the third quarter’s timeout thinking they were having possession of the ball as informed by the on-court officials, albeit the referees later changed their decision and gave the ball to the Warriors Jordan Poole.
The Warriors PG bounced a pass to Kevon Looney and he dunked the pass without making any error giving the Warriors two points. The incident agitated the Mavs as they lost the match 127-125, only for two points.
The Mavs point guard Luka Doncic couldn’t halt back too as he was seen making a “money motion” towards a referee forming his hands into the shape of a rectangle and rubbing his fingers together, insinuating that the referee had been influenced by money.
Luka Doncic makes the money motion at the referee after a no-call late vs. the Warriors 😳💰 pic.twitter.com/MJnjIvdyO1
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 23, 2023
This action did not go unnoticed by NBA fans, many of whom criticized Doncic’s behavior as disrespectful towards the referee.
Why Luca’s actions have not yet been called into question was brought up by a user.
How is THIS not considered questioning the integrity of the officials? Just because it’s Luka huh https://t.co/ae31KABjlV
— stacie montero (@staciemontero) March 23, 2023
A user sarcastically asked who will pay the officials except for Doncic himself.
"who paid them?!?" uhhhh, you? lol? https://t.co/iZDLJws2Xt pic.twitter.com/5XmRBaKYc3
— ☀️🏄🏻♀️✨ (@celestiaIwaves) March 23, 2023
A fan mocked Doncic stating he is going to pay a $50k fine.
Incoming $50k fine https://t.co/MAv5AcYJd3
— HoopSavvy (@HoopSavvy_) March 23, 2023
The Mavs are all set to file an official protest to the league against referees saying his mistakes resulted in a free basket for the Warriors, taking away the match from the hand of the Mavs.
The Mavs owner Mark Cuban tweeted his words after the incident.
“For those wondering about the play with 1:54 to go on the 3rd, let me explain what happened. The ref called Mavs ball. The announcer announced it. Then there was a timeout. During the time out the official changed the call and never told us. Then when they saw us line up as if it were our ball, he just gave the ball to the warriors. Never said a word to us They got an easy basketball. Crazy that it would matter in a 2-point game.”
“Worst officiating noncall mistake possibly in the history of the NBA. All they had to do was tell us and they didn’t”, he further added.
The NBA has not yet responded to the referee’s incident. Doncic’s incident is also going to stretch further, and the Mavs star will probably face some sort of disciplinary action for his actions on the court.
Whom do you support in this controversial altercation? Do you think Doncic was right? Tell us in the comments.
