Brian Windhorst Goes Off On Luka Doncic In Explosive Rant: “This Performance Was Unacceptable”

Brian Windhorst slammed Luka Doncic on ESPN for his on-court behavior and defense in the Mavericks' Game 3 loss in the NBA Finals.

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Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks hope for a championship are all but over after falling to a 0-3 series deficit after their Game 3 loss. Brian Windhorst reacted to the game by slamming Luka Doncic‘s performance, as the Slovenian star fouled out in the fourth quarter in a must-win game, calling his defensive showing and complaining to the officials ‘unacceptable.’

“When Luka fell to the ground there in an unacceptable position with four minutes left and five fouls, then immediately looks at the bench like, ‘You better bleeping challenge that,’ as if it’s the bench’s fault he made a terrible play. I am standing here in the Mavericks’ tunnel, over there is the Celtics tunnel where the winners are. If Luka is ever gonna be a winner coming out of the tunnel, he’s gonna have to use what’s happened in these NBA Finals as a learning experience.” 

Windhorst attacked Doncic’s disappointing defense in the contest and his how his treatment of the officials has once against cost the Mavericks a win.

“This defensive performance is unacceptable. He’s a hole on the court and the Celtics are attacking him and they are ahead in this series because they have attacked him defensively. You have a situation where Luka is complaining about the officiating. They have begged him, they have talked with him, they have pleaded with him, he’s costing his team because of how he treats the officials. He’s a brilliant player, he does so many things well, they’re here because of how he did. His performance in this game was unacceptable and the reason why the Mavericks won’t win.”

Windhorst is hoping somebody can change Doncic’s approach to the referees over the summer because if that doesn’t happen, Doncic might never elevate himself to the level of an NBA Champion.

“The fact he came out of the game and complained about the officials shows me he’s nowhere close yet. But maybe over the summer, somebody will get to him. There’s nobody in the Mavericks or anybody else in his life who has. That’s why the Mavericks are where they are. They’re never going to get through this tunnel with the trophy if he doesn’t improve those bad habits in his game.”

Doncic put up 27 points (11-27, 40.7 FG%), six rebounds, and six assists in the Game 3 loss, fouling out after the Mavericks went on a 20-2 run in the fourth quarter to cut a 21-point game to a 3-point game. Doncic’s control over the floor helped the Mavs achieve that, but his petulance and fouling habits prompted that momentum to be sucked out and go in Boston’s favor.

The 25-year-old has been notoriously known as a serial complainer during games, a fact he’s aware of. He’s often chatting with officials for the entirety of a game and complaining about calls. Even if his concerns are valid, his behavior further antagonizes the referees and breaks focus for the Mavericks. 

Doncic even admitted he had to make a conscious effort to not jaw at the referees after their Game 4 loss in the second round to the OKC Thunder, which seemingly worked as the Mavs won six of their next seven games to make the NBA Finals. 

With his team being on the precipice of a sweep, all the goodwill Doncic generated by his improved demeanor and defense in the Playoffs has been wiped away with the star regressing to his old habits in a must-win game where he fell short.

He’s averaged 29.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in the NBA Finals, but this game will be a lasting reminder to Doncic about the maturity he still needs to build.

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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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