Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic was enjoying a celebratory beer with his father after the team clinched a berth in the NBA Finals, but team executive Michael Finley had other ideas.
Luka Doncic's electrifying performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals not only secured a spot for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals but also sparked a lighthearted moment between the star player and his father, Saša Doncic.
As the Mavericks celebrated their 124-103 victory in the Target Center hallways, Doncic and his father were spotted sharing a cold beer. Doncic led the charge with a postseason-high 36 points, including 20 in the first quarter alone, guiding Dallas to its first Finals appearance since their 2011 championship triumph.
But the celebratory mood took a slight detour when Michael Finley, the Mavericks' vice president of basketball operations, entered the scene. As Finley embraced Saša Doncic, he discreetly relieved Luka of his beer, leaving the basketball star visibly surprised.
The moment, captured on video and shared on social media, has drawn chuckles from fans and observers. Doncic appeared to take the incident in stride, perhaps understanding that Finley's actions were prompted by the cameras surrounding them.
Finley's move has been widely interpreted as an effort to protect Doncic's image and the team's reputation. While celebrating victories with alcoholic beverages is not uncommon in professional sports, the presence of cameras and the heightened attention on the NBA Finals may have influenced Finley's decision to intervene.
The Mavericks' big night was also marked by an impressive 36-point performance from Kyrie Irving. The victory gives the team a week's rest before they face the Boston Celtics in the Finals on Thursday. The Celtics will have enjoyed 10 days off after sweeping the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.
As the Mavericks prepare for their biggest stage yet, Doncic's beer celebration will likely be remembered as a brief but amusing anecdote from their historic run. The team's focus now shifts to the highly anticipated Finals matchup against the Celtics, where they will aim to capture their first NBA championship since 2011.
