Luka Doncic says he was wrong to have visiting fan tossed

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Mavericks' Luka Doncic says he was wrong to have visiting fan thrown out

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 1/25/24

The strangest story in the NBA on Thursday came from Dallas after Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic asked to have a visiting Phoenix Suns fan thrown out of the game for heckling him.

Doncic addressed the incident during an appearance on TNT and said he probably shouldn't haven't done that and that he can admit when he is wrong.

Have a look and a listen.

"I probably shouldn't have done that. When I'm wrong, I admit it."

On 'Inside the NBA,' Luka Doncic acknowledges his frustration got the better of him getting a rival fan thrown out of American Airlines Center last night pic.twitter.com/UN4nmJao0U
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 26, 2024

According to Mavericks beat writers, the taunt that finally pushed Doncic over the edge was relatively tame, with the fan yelling about Doncic to get on a treadmill because he looked tired.

Doncic said after the game on Wednesday that the fan had been cursing at him all game and that he had finally had enough.

If the fan was being that bad for most of the game and using vulgar language, it definitely is reasonable to assume the arena staff would have taken it upon themselves to have the fan removed. The fan reportedly left on their own when an arena staffer approached them, but Doncic did ask to have the fan removed.

If fans are crossing the line into obscene, vulgar or threatening taunts, it is perfectly understandable for players to get angry. This did not seem to reach that level and is a tough look for Doncic on what was almost certainly a frustrating night with a home loss.

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