Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic. Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

How Luka Doncic turns into a soul snatcher on the road

By Sai Mohan | Last updated May 31, 2024 9:05 AM ET

With 10:10 left in the first quarter of Thursday's Game 4, Luka Doncic made a three from his favorite left wing on the floor. Ordinarily, the shot would have been viewed as a routine Doncic make. But the Slovenian would turn around and utter some words to a Timberwolves fan in the front row.

At that very moment, the writing was on the wall.

Doncic would proceed to outscore the entire Timberwolves 20-19 in the first quarter, and along the way, he'd talk a lot more trash to the fans, one of whom messed up by poking the bear.

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 court during this early 20-point flurry.
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 31, 2024

Even after the game, Doncic wasn't done mocking the fans. As he was collecting the trophy for the Western Conference Finals MVP, Doncic acknowledged the hostility in the arena.

"I see you," Doncic said as he let out a "boo" of his own directed at the crowd.

Minnesota fans booed Luka Doncic as he spoke after winning conference finals MVP. Luka then booed them back pic.twitter.com/vS7aDKuHs6
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 31, 2024

The Timberwolves fanbase became the latest to discover that booing Doncic isn't a wise strategy, joining fans of the Suns, Clippers and Thunder, who learned their lessons the hard way in recent years.

It's never been more apparent that Doncic thrives as a villain and enjoys snatching souls. The proof is in the pudding — the star guard takes his game to a different level on the road.

Doncic on the road versus at home in the 2024 playoffs:

31.1 PPG (to 26.1), 47.8 FG% (to 38.7), 4.0 3PM (to 2.6), 39.1 3P% (to 28.4).

Oh, and Doncic does not take to losing well, as evidenced by his young playoff career. He averages the highest PPG in playoff history after a loss, with a 12-6 record in such scenarios.

While the Celtics have home advantage in the NBA Finals, Doncic's ability to thrive on the road almost works in the Mavericks' favor.

Be careful, Boston fans. You don't want to boo Doncic too hard.

When Luka Doncic stares at you like this, book your Cancun flights. Your season is over. pic.twitter.com/oCqUznKhap
— Master (@MasterTes) May 27, 2024

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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