Luka Doncic's interaction with Timberwolves fan sparks Game 5 explosion: 'Who's crying now motherf—er?'

Kyle Irving

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Luka Doncic's interaction with Timberwolves fan sparks Game 5 explosion: 'Who's crying now motherf—er?' image

Don't mess with Luka Doncic.

The Timberwolves — and their fans — found that out the hard way Thursday, as the Mavericks superstar's Game 5 explosion in the Western Conference Finals ended their season. Minnesota trailed by as many as 36 points in an elimination game on its home floor before falling in blowout fashion, 124-103.

Dallas missed an opportunity to sweep the Timberwolves at home in Game 4, and Minnesota returned to the Target Center with a sliver of hope to pull off a historically improbable 3-0 series comeback.

Doncic made sure to rip his opponent's heart out from the start, single-handedly outscoring the Timberwolves 20-19 in the first quarter as the Mavericks built a quick 16-point lead they wouldn't surrender.

A courtside Minnesota fan could be held partially responsible for igniting Doncic's flamethrowing start. What did the fan do to motivate Doncic to end the Timberwolves season? The Sporting News takes a closer look.

MORE: Breaking down Luka Doncic's playoff history with Dallas

Luka Doncic's interaction with Timberwolves fan sparks Game 5 explosion

From the opening tip, Doncic was on the attack and looking to put the Western Conference Finals to bed.

Before you could blink, the 25-year-old had scored 12 of his team's first 16 points. He ripped off four 3-pointers in the first quarter and let his competitiveness shine as he screamed into the crowd.

Doncic finished the first quarter with 20 points, outscoring the Timberwolves (19) by himself.

An early report suggested that a Timberwolves fan may have gotten under Doncic's skin as he began to catch fire in the first quarter. 

The fan reportedly waved a handkerchief at Doncic, a reference to him crying to the referees for fouls. Doncic had choice words for the fan as he led a beatdown on Minnesota in the opening frame.

Doncic continued to jaw at the crowd well into the third quarter as Dallas' lead continued to build. Finally, after an and-one at the start of the second half, the basket mic caught Doncic seemingly targeting the fan who came at him earlier in the night.

"Who's crying now, motherf—er?" he shouted as he got one step closer to ending Minnesota's season.

Snoop Dogg was the first fan spotted when the camera panned to the crowd, and the legendary rapper loved Doncic's fiery attitude.

Luka didn't let up as the result became inevitable, continuing to taunt the Timberwolves crowd. He buried his sixth and final 3-pointer of the night to put a nail in the coffin in the fourth quarter, hitting the iconic "Jordan shrug" as he sent the Mavericks to the NBA Finals.

The Western Conference Finals MVP finished with 36 points, 10 rebounds and five assists to close out Minnesota.

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.