Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic was so frustrated during the game against Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA on Friday that he ripped his jersey.
The Mavericks were struggling to keep up with the Lakers and the frustration showed on their star player. Not only that but Doncic also seemed to have been targeted physically and unfortunately, not many decisions were going in his favour.
What was more surprising to see was that Doncic’s accuracy off the free-throw line. He, rather uncharacteristically, missed five free throws in the first half. With just over a minute to go in the first half, Doncic ripped his jersey off after missing consecutive free throws. He continued to play with a torn jersey for the remaining first half and came out with another No. 77 jersey in the second half.
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Luka nearly ripped his jersey in half, then kept playing 😅 pic.twitter.com/HcooSDmM6q
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 11, 2020
Twitter reacts as Luka Doncic rips off his jersey
People on social media had various reactions to Doncic’s actions with a few comparing it former WWE superstar Hulk Hogan’s signature celebration.
Luka Doncic showing his inner Hulk Hogan tonight with the jersey rip. pic.twitter.com/hsigIuzDJl
— Jayson Slade (@JSladeShow) January 11, 2020
LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, BROTHER. WHATCHA GONNA DO…WHEN LUKA DONCIC RUNS OVER YOU? #MFFL pic.twitter.com/5DVjQBHffT
— Tylt Sports (@tyltsports) January 11, 2020
Luka Doncic gotta give Trae Young his ROY trophy after that jersey rip
— Alex Tumay (@alextumay) January 11, 2020
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Luka Doncic just ripped his jersey in disgust after missing two free throws … it’s shredded down the middle
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 11, 2020
Luka Doncic also had a bad time with the referees, with many decisions going against him. With the defenders getting more and more physical, Doncic would at least be hoping for more foul calls on him. Mavericks manager Rick Carlisle had already complained about teams resorting to these tactics recently. And Lakers was nothing new. Doncic still managed 25 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, but his team suffered a heavy defeat.
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I really wonder what does Luka have to do to get something called. Are refs intentionally swallowing their whistle? This is getting ridiculous. He’s getting hacked out there and nothing’s getting called. pic.twitter.com/qV7HcWZn5a
— Matej Sportinfo (@Sportinfosi) January 11, 2020