"Adam Silver made the call" - NBA fans react after Luka Doncic exits Game 3 with 6 fouls

Dallas Mavericks superstar guard Luka Doncic controversially fouled out late in Wednesday's 106-99 Game 3 NBA Finals home loss to the Boston Celtics. His sixth foul left NBA fans in dismay as they accused the league of rigging the contest in Boston's favor.

After falling behind by 21 points (91-70) in the fourth quarter, Dallas mounted a furious comeback, going on a 20-2 scoring run. However, trailing 93-90 with 4:12 remaining, Doncic was whistled for his sixth foul on Celtics star wing Jaylen Brown.

Brown drove the ball at Doncic in transition, initiating the contact, which sent Doncic tumbling to the ground. The Mavericks challenged the call, but it wasn't overturned despite Brown appearing to extend his arm into the five-time All-Star.

Game 3 marked Doncic's first time fouling out of a playoff game and third time fouling out through 448 career regular-season and postseason outings.

Given the stakes involved, with Dallas looking to avoid a 3-0 series deficit, most fans on X/Twitter deemed the call questionable at best.

"That wasn't even a foul, bro," @BronWorld said.

"I'm not saying it’s a foul, but that shouldn’t be a charge, either, in my opinion. Honestly, just a tough call to make," @AidanLaPorta69 said.

Meanwhile, many accused the league of blatantly favoring Boston.

"Adam Silver made the call," @Zentotic said.

"It’s rigged against the Mavs," @boxingfan3333 said.

"Refs bailed out the Celtics,"@Beetx5 said.

"Refs must have won their bets tonight. Worst reffing I’ve seen in a finals game, and that’s saying something for the NBA," @pharmaziz said.

With his early exit, Luka Doncic ended the night with 27 points, six rebounds and six assists on 11-for-27 (40.7%) shooting in 38 minutes.

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Luka Doncic calls out Game 3 officiating as Dallas falls into 3-0 finals deficit

In Luka Doncic's late-game absence, the Mavericks, led by star guard Kyrie Irving, couldn't complete their comeback. They were outscored 13-9 after Doncic checked out, falling into a daunting 3-0 finals deficit.

Irving did all he could to will Dallas to victory, tallying a game-high 35 points on 13-for-28 (46.4%) shooting. However, his squad couldn't overcome Jaylen Brown and his co-star Jayson Tatum each having their highest-scoring games of the series, combining for 61 points.

After the contest, Doncic questioned why the officials whistled him for six fouls in such a critical matchup.

"I don't want to say nothing, but six fouls in the NBA Finals? Come on, man. Be better than that," Doncic said.

NBA teams are 0-156 all-time when trailing 3-0 in a best-of-seven postseason series. So, history is working against Dallas.

Luka Doncic and Co. will attempt to secure their first finals win and avoid elimination during Friday's Game 4 face-off in front of their home crowd.

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