"Too much now": NBA Fans Turn on Jaden McDaniels After Slapping Stephon Castle in Game 3

Video of their heated exchange has since turned viral online. In one close-up, it appears McDaniels slapped Castle before teammates and officials stepped in to stop both of them.

While the clip suggests the Timberwolves forward may have started the confrontation, officials hit both players with technical fouls. However, folks are calling McDaniels out because they believe his aggressive antics are more show than substance. He often initiates confrontations but usually needs teammates to hold him back, just as he did in this incident.

One fan wrote, "This McDaniels acting tough act is getting lame."

Another added, "Jaden McDaniels is feeling himself TOO much now.. dude posted up against Nikola Jokic... think he's some untouchable."

A third one claimed, "This dude's whole playoffs has been trying to fight people."

The fourth one penned, "The fake tough guy aura in the NBA needs to be studied. Everybody suddenly turns into WWE after a hard foul."

A random X user remarked, "Damn another McDaniels fight, first with Jokic now with Stephon Castle."

The sixth one noted, "Jaden McDaniels wants that villain role."

The reference to Nikola Jokic doesn't come out of nowhere. During the first round of the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, McDaniels scored an uncontested layup in the closing seconds of a blowout win.

That play prompted Nikola Jokic to charge him, requiring both benches to intervene. Jokic and Julius Randle were ejected. When asked about the moment to McDaniels, he replied, "I don't know what he said, to be honest. I just seen someone that was big as hell."

McDaniels brought that same intensity to the second round against the Spurs. Game 4 is set to tip off Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock. With the Timberwolves trailing the series 2-1, they need McDaniels to focus on scoring rather than confrontations.

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