The Mavericks let the Timberwolves steal a road game in the Western Conference Finals and extend their season another two days, but there was no stopping Luka Doncic in Game 5 on Thursday night.
Doncic came out firing, drilling shot after shot and burying Minnesota’s hopes much sooner than anyone expected. He finished with 36 points, shooting 64 percent from the field and matching Kyrie Irving’s point total.
History shows that home field advantage comes in handy in the playoffs, but Doncic played like someone who feeds off the energy of a hostile crowd. With the Mavericks up by 36 points, Doncic directed some choice words toward the crowd and evidently caught the attention of rapper Snoop Dogg.
Here’s what you need to know about Doncic’s jibe and whether it was directed at Snoop Dogg.
What did Luka Doncic say to Snoop Dogg?
Doncic has ongoing rivalries with some fan bases of teams he’s eliminated in the playoffs over the years, but it doesn’t seem like he has a rivalry with one of rap’s most iconic artists yet.
Doncic was mocking a fan, not Snoop Dogg, when he yelled, “Who’s crying now, motherfucker?”
A Timberwolves fan standing very close to the court reportedly mocked Doncic for complaining to the referees early in the game, and Doncic had the last laugh and then some as he dismantled Minnesota with a brilliant performance to close the game. series.
Also very close to the court was Snoop Dogg, who was quite surprised by the interaction even if he wasn’t involved.
Snoop Dogg is in disbelief pic.twitter.com/U4LhxZgeRy
– Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) May 31, 2024
TNT announcer Reggie Miller initially believed Doncic was going after Snoop Dogg, which would have created an even better story for Game 5.
“Here’s the Luka move, the contact, the one-and-done and the words between Luka and one of the greatest rappers to ever do it, Snoop Dogg.”
Reggie Miller with a call we doubt he thought he’d have to make today. pic.twitter.com/pPGlA6QXeN
– Horrible advertisement (@awfulannunciando) May 31, 2024
Not surprisingly, Miller’s first instinct was to believe Doncic was bad-mouthing a famous fan. Miller, of course, engaged in a long war of words with film director and Knicks superfan Spike during the 1990s.
However, if you ask Miller, Lee started the fight. Snoop Dogg is a well-known Lakers fan, so it’s unlikely he’ll spend Thursday night bad-mouthing Doncic at a Mavericks-Timberwolves game.
Then again, Snoop Dogg certainly didn’t seem to expect to hear Doncic mocking a fan during the biggest win of the Mavericks star’s career. Knowing that the Celtics have had no shortage of famous fans attending playoff games, perhaps Doncic could spark a celebrity rivalry with a championship on the line.
