Luka Doncic Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Reporter reveals what Suns fan said to Mavericks’ Luka Doncic to prior to ejection

By Jeff Smith | Last updated Jan 25, 2024 9:04 AM ET

It's safe to say that things got a bit tense during the Dallas Mavericks' 132-109 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. First, Kevin Durant and Grant Williams got into it just four minutes into the game after the Mavericks forward knocked down the Suns star and stepped over top of him, leading to both Durant and Jusuf Nurkic shoving Williams.

Ultimately, Williams wound up picking up a technical, then was later assessed his second early in the third quarter, leading to his ejection. But along with Williams being ejected, a Suns fan in the crowd was also given the boot in the fourth quarter after continuously trash-talking Luka Doncic. As ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported, one comment was the final straw that drew Doncic's attention and led to the Mavericks star getting security involved.

Luka Doncic asked security to eject this Suns fan, who was sitting two rows behind midcourt press row. The comment the fan made that drew Doncic’s wrath: “Luka, you’re tired! Get your ass on the treadmill!” pic.twitter.com/chNYwiJBC0
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 25, 2024

The topic led to a tense conversation between Doncic and MacMahon in the postgame press conference, and ultimately, although the Mavericks guard admitted he would never eject a fan, said he "had enough" as the fan was cursing at him throughout the first half.

"He was cursing [at] me the whole first half too," Doncic said. "I never would eject a fan. They pay for tickets, but I had enough."

While the heckling may have gone on essentially the entire game, it didn't deter Doncic from posting another stellar stat line, finishing with 34 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. But the shorthanded Mavs, who were without fellow star Kyrie Irving, couldn't overcome a monstrous 46-point performance from Devin Booker, especially with no other starter scoring in double figures for Dallas. Only two players in total (Tim Hardaway Jr. with 17 and Jaden Hardy with 11) managed to hit double-digits on the night.

Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith has extensive experience as a sports writer and editor, including stops at ESPN, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, USA TODAY SMG, and Heavy. Jeff's passion for sports content starts and finishes with writing and he's grateful to be able to work in that field on a daily basis.

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