ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has torn into Luka Doncic following Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Doncic fouled out with four minutes remaining of the Dallas Mavericks showdown with the Boston Celtics.

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ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has slammed Luka Doncic for his Game 3 performanceCredit: ESPN

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Doncic fouled out in the fourth quarter of the Mavericks 99-106 loss to the CelticsCredit: Reuters

ESPN’s Scott van Pelt was stunned by Windhorst’s strong words towards the SlovenianCredit: ESPN
The Mavs had threatened a stunning comeback during the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center.

Dallas went on a 22-2 run late in the contest before Doncic committed his sixth foul with 4:12 remaining.

The 25-year-old Slovenian was forced out of the game, with the Celtics seeing out a 106-99 win to go 3-0 up in the series.

Windhorst joined Scott Van Pelt on ESPN’s SportsCenter following the buzzer.

And the NBA Insider was scathing of Doncic’s play on defense, slamming him for a host of naive plays.

“I’m standing here in the Mavericks tunnel. Over there is the Celtics tunnel,” Windhorst said.

“That’s where the winners are. If Luka’s ever going to be a winner coming out of this tunnel here, he’s going to have to use what happened in this Finals as a learning experience.

“His defensive performance is unacceptable. He’s a hole on the court.

“[The Celtics] are ahead in this series because they have attacked him defensively.”

“I can’t get over Windhorst. Just absolute, just blowtorch,” Van Pelt gasped in response.

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Doncic was called for a blocking foul on Jaylen Brown with the score at 93-90 to the Celtics.

It was his fourth foul of the final quarter and he looked pleadingly at the Mavericks bench to challenge.

“I thought it was perfect that Luka fell onto the ground there in an unacceptable position to put himself in with four minutes left with five fouls,” Windhorst added.

“And then immediately looks at the bench and says, ‘You better bleeping challenge it,’ as if it’s the bench’s fault that he just made a terrible play.”

In his 38 minutes on the court, the guard put up 27 points and collected 6 rebounds.

NBA Finals schedule

Thur 6 June – Game 1, 8.30pm ET – Dallas Mavericks 89-107 Boston Celtics

Sun 9 June – Game 2, 8pm ET – Dallas Mavericks 98-105 Boston Celtics

Wed 12 June – Game 3, 8.30pm ET – Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks

Fri 14 June – Game 4, 8.30pm ET – Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks

Mon 17 June – Game 5, 8.30pm ET – Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics

Thur 20 June – Game 6, 8.30pm ET – Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks

Sun 23 June – Game 7, 8pm ET – Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics

It was the first time Doncic had fouled out in 48 career playoff games.

“We couldn’t play physical,” Doncic fumed following the game.

“I don’t want to say nothing [against the officials]. But six fouls in the NBA finals? Come on man.”

Jayson Tatum top-scored for the Celtics with 31 points.

Boston was without center Kristaps Porzingis, who remains day-to-day with a knee injury.

“We are not relaxing or anything like that,” said Tatum.

“You know, not even focusing on winning or whatever.

“However long it takes, that’s our motto. However long it takes, that’s what it’s going to take. Nobody is not trying to relax at all.”

Game 4 of the series is set for 8.30 pm ET in Dallas on Friday.

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The Mavericks now need to win 4 on the spin to life the Larry O’Brien TrophyCredit: Reuters