![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-03-30T050751Z_886224885_MT1USATODAY22902117_RTRMADP_3_NBA-DALLAS-MAVERICKS-AT-SACRAMENTO-KINGS.jpg?width=600)
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 29, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates after the Mavericks made a three point basket against the Sacramento Kings late in the fourth quarter at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-03-30T050751Z_886224885_MT1USATODAY22902117_RTRMADP_3_NBA-DALLAS-MAVERICKS-AT-SACRAMENTO-KINGS.jpg?width=600)
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 29, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates after the Mavericks made a three point basket against the Sacramento Kings late in the fourth quarter at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The 2018 NBA draft season was a sensational one. Some of the most talented prospects were waiting to make their way into the league. And among them was Luka Doncic, the otherworldly talented Slovenian youngster. He had already made waves internationally and was now looking to make his mark in the famed NBA league. As the draft progressed, the second pick was in the hands of the Sacramento Kings.
Their choice – Marvin Bagley III. He was a highly touted prospect coming off Duke, so naturally the Kings congratulated themselves on bagging a great pick. How wrong were they! The draft featured players like Trae Young and Jaren Jackson Jr. in addition to Doncic. But to each their own. More than five years have passed and tonight, the Kings faced the Dallas Mavericks in the presence of their former GM Vlade Divac. The same man who oversaw the draft in 2018.
Seeing Divac sit courtside seems to have ruffled Luka’s feathers. After his final free throw, which he landed and brought the win, the 25-year-old was seen waving goodbye to Vlade. As he was leaving, Doncic could be heard deadpanning, “He shoulda’ drafted me,” in front of 17000+ people.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Fox 40 reporter Sean Cunningham tweeted the embarrassingly hilarious video. “Luka Doncic as he puts away the Kings tonight in Sacramento with his final free throw, then as the final horn sounds, waves goodbye to former Kings GM Vlade Divac seated courtside and says “he shoulda’ drafted me.”
Luka Doncic as he puts away the Kings tonight in Sacramento with his final free throw, then as the final horn sounds, waves goodbye to former Kings GM Vlade Divac seated courtside and says "he shoulda' drafted me." pic.twitter.com/6j26cLprxA
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) March 30, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Well, we can’t read minds, but Divac’s expression when the camera zoomed in on his face after Doncic’s antics might be enough to guess. Aside from this, the rest of the game went smoothly, except maybe Malik Monk’s injury in the early first quarter. Doncic landed on him when Monk was driving to the basket and exited with a right knee injury. He finished the night with two points and one rebound in one minute of game time. Yes, he had to leave way too early.
Despite Luka Doncic and his hilarious antics, Dante Exum shines in the last quarter
Playing 41 minutes, Luka Doncic recorded 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 12 assists. And when Irving led the team with 30 points, it was Exum’s three-pointer with 27.5 seconds remaining that sealed the deal for the Mavericks tonight. His score for the night was eight points, two assists, and three rebounds. The best part? Six out of his eight points were made in the fourth quarter. Dallas trailed for most of the first half until the third quarter saw the two finish 22-22.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Mavs’ bench unit was pretty great tonight. They combined for 31 points while Sacramento put up just 19 bench points. After five lead changes and tying the score four times, Luka Doncic and Co. managed to clinch the victory.