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Luka Dončić voiced significant concerns concerning the unique NBA Cup playing surface at the Lakers' downtown arena, calling it “treacherous” and “dangerous”.

Dončić was delighted, however, with his squad's togetherness and resilience after Jaxson Hayes backed him during a tense confrontation with Dunn – and Dončić has promised to pay the fine Hayes incurred for the subsequent technical foul.

Game Highlights

Dončić delivered an outstanding showing with a 43-point outing, 13 dimes, and nine rebounds grabbed during the decisive triumph over the Clippers on Tuesday night, narrowly falling short of his 10th career triple-double with 40+ points.

LA's fifth straight victory escalated late in the fourth quarter when Kris Dunn sent Luka to the floor with a hit to the back. The player got up and faced Dunn, who thrust the ball into his mid-section. Jaxson Hayes responded with a forceful push of the opponent, who tried to fight back with a swing at his head while referees and teammates pulled apart the scuffle.

“I’ll cover it,” Dončić remarked. “I thanked him immediately for backing me up. That’s exactly what I appreciate in this squad. Everybody has got each other’s back.”

Past Confrontations

Dončić and Dunn have in the past had several game-time skirmishes.

• The duo were given T’s for a vocal argument when Dončić’s Dallas Mavericks faced Utah in 2023.
• He glared him off the court when Dunn was removed from a Clippers-Mavericks game in December 2024.
• Kris Dunn seemed to hurt the star with a cheap shot from the rear when the Lakers met the LA Clippers last March.

The latest confrontation ended with Dunn’s ejection for two T’s.

“As I positioned for a board, someone hit me in the back,” Dončić commented. “I won’t just take that. I’m not scared of anyone. Letting it pass isn’t an option. ... That’s the nature of the sport. Sometimes it’s going to get physical. There’s a lot of trash talking. That’s what drives me, and I relish it.”

Court Safety Concerns

The game was played on the Lakers' yellow version of the special courts deployed across the association for In-Season Tournament games – but Dončić felt unsafe.

“The courts need adjusting,” the star stated after commending the format of the competition, now in its third season. “They’re too slippery. It’s hazardous... I lost my footing repeatedly. You could see a lot of players slipped. It’s a real danger.”

This match was the Lakers' opening Cup game at Staples Center this year after commencing group play with two road games. Luka mentioned he couldn’t remember whether the courts in the Pelicans’ arena and Grizzlies’ home were more slippery than standard.

“Being new courts, they’re quite challenging,” Dončić noted. “It needs ... playing some games.”

Player Reactions

Negative feedback about the distinctive courts are nothing new. Jaylen Brown stated he hurt his groin while playing on the Raptors’ NBA Cup court in 2023, and fellow competitors have shared their views on the risks of playing on new court surfaces.

LeBron James said he noticed “several players” struggling on the court during the game, but didn’t feel it was unsafe himself.

Tournament Progress

The team secured their bracket and obtained a berth in the knockout stage with their win. This is thrilling for Luka, who is familiar with the idea of tournament play in a way his US-based colleagues often do not.

“This is new territory for me, as I’ve always exited early,” Dončić commented. “With my background in Spanish basketball, I appreciate this format.”

Upon learning he had secured at least a significant sum with the Lakers' group win, the athlete, who has $198 million in career earnings, smiled.

“Of course, I’m happy to receive the funds,” Dončić quipped.