After the referee failed to flag Klay Thompson for traveling during the game’s final play, Luka Doncic became increasingly irate. This was during a crucial juncture in the Warriors’ 104-100 defeat.
The way Luka Doncic felt as he saw a crucial period of the game pass by without a call from the officials was evident. With only fifteen seconds left in their game against the Golden State Warriors, Doncic saw what he believed to be a blatant traveling infraction by Klay Thompson go uncalled. The Dallas Mavericks were down two points at the time.
violation was called, allowing Thompson to retain possession and ultimately draw a foul from Maxi Kleber.
The frustration for Doncic and the Mavericks was compounded as Thompson subsequently made both free throws, extending the Warriors’ lead to 104-100 and effectively sealing the game. Doncic’s disappointment was evident as he watched the opportunity for a comeback slip away due to what he perceived as a missed call by the officials.
Even with Doncic’s triple-double (thirteen points, twelve rebounds, and eleven assists), the Mavericks could not overcome the Warriors’ late-game momentum. The Mavericks’ offensive output was significantly limited by Golden State’s defensive play, especially by Andrew Wiggins’ defensive assignment on Doncic.
Doncic’s annoyance may have been warranted, but it serves as a reminder of how erratic basketball officiating can be. Missed calls and contentious rulings are an inevitability in a sport where decisions made in the heat of the moment can decide the result. But for Doncic and the Mavericks, the disappointment of a missed call at a crucial juncture emphasizes how crucial it is to remain composed and focused in the face of difficulty.