BOSTON — As a competitor, Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic is wired differently than most.
Having played in front of ruthless crowds in his native Europe, Doncic is fueled by jeers and hostility. With Doncic and the Mavericks in Boston's hostile environment for Games 1 and 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals, the 25-year-old's competitive fire is on full display.
In the third quarter of Game 2, Doncic appeared to exchange words with a Celtics fan seated courtside. Upon a closer look, it wasn't just any Celtics fan, it was franchise governor Wyc Grousbeck, who elicited a reaction from Doncic.
What did Grousbeck say to Doncic? Here's what can be deduced from the interaction between Dallas' superstar and Boston's executive.
MORE: Key stats, highlights from Mavericks-Celtics showdown in Game 2 of NBA Finals
What did Wyc Grousbeck say to Luka Doncic?
After connecting on a turnaround jumper over Derrick White early in the third quarter, Doncic immediately turned his head toward Grousbeck and directed a message.
A highlight of the play shows the exact moment where the interaction began.
Luka Doncic goes to work in the post with the turnaround jumper!
— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2024
DAL looks to even the series 1-1 with a Game 2 win on ABC 🏆 pic.twitter.com/BxvgXQDG5N
Before the exchange, Grousbeck made a technical foul sign toward Doncic, suggesting Dallas' star should have been whistled for his interaction with the officials, according to Marc J. Spears of ESPN's Andscape.
Spears added that Doncic's message to Grousbeck resulted in laughter among nearby fans, suggesting the interaction was good-natured and Doncic may have been aware of who he was interacting with.
After the game, Doncic did not offer much on the exchange.
"I'm sorry, I don't know who the Celtics owner is," Doncic told reporters before declining to further discuss the exchange.
Doncic is undoubtedly motivated by these interactions, meaning Grousbeck might want to tread lightly when agitating the star, even if the exchanges are playful. If Doncic is able to put forth a herculean effort to lead Dallas past Boston, the motivation will have played a hand.
MORE: Inside the history between Luka Doncic and Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas
Who is Wyc Grousbeck?
Wycliffe "Wyc" K. Grousbeck is an entrepreneur and the majority owner and governor of the Celtics organization.
A native of Massachusetts, Grousbeck received his undergraduate degree from Princeton, his law degree from Michigan, and his business degree from Stanford. Grousbeck spent seven years as a partner at the venture capital firm Highland Capital Partners before founding Boston Basketball Partners, L.L.C., which purchased the Celtics for $360 million in 2002.
As of 2023, the Celtics are worth $4.7 billion, according to Forbes' NBA valuations.
