The Mavericks' guard voiced major concerns about the unique NBA Cup playing surface at the Los Angeles Lakers' downtown venue, labeling it “treacherous” and “risky”.
The Slovenian superstar was delighted, on the other hand, with his team's cohesion and resilience after Hayes defended him during a fourth-quarter confrontation with opponent Kris Dunn – and he has promised to pay the sanction Hayes incurred for the subsequent technical foul.
Game Highlights
Luka produced an remarkable game with a 43-point outing, 13 dimes, and nine boards during the commanding victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on that evening, narrowly falling short of his tenth career triple-double with 40+ points.
The Lakers' fifth straight victory escalated late in the fourth quarter when Kris Dunn shoved Luka to the court with a bump to the back. Dončić got up and faced Dunn, who shoved the ball into his mid-section. His teammate responded with a forceful push of Dunn, who attempted to strike back with a swat at his head while referees and fellow players separated the fracas.
“It’s on me,” Dončić remarked. “Right away, I expressed my gratitude for his support. It’s moments like these that make me value this group. Everyone here supports one another.”
Past Confrontations
Dončić and Dunn have before had a number of in-game skirmishes.
- They were given technical penalties for a vocal disagreement when Dončić’s Dallas Mavericks faced Dunn’s Utah Jazz in 2023.
- Luka looked the opponent out of the game when he was thrown out from a Mavericks-Clippers game in last December.
- Kris Dunn looked like he tried to hurt Luka with a cheap shot from the back when the LA Lakers met the LA Clippers last March.
The latest clash concluded with Dunn being thrown out for two technical fouls.
“While going for a rebound, I was struck from behind,” Luka commented. “I won’t just take that. Fear isn’t in my vocabulary. Letting it pass isn’t an option. ... That’s part of basketball. There will be physical moments. There’s a lot of trash talking. That’s what drives me, and I relish it.”
Floor Grip Problems
The contest was staged on the Lakers' gold version of the distinctive courts deployed across the NBA for In-Season Tournament games – but Dončić did not feel safe.
“Please fix the courts,” Dončić said after expressing approval for the setup of the competition, now in its third year. “They’re too slippery. It poses a risk... I slipped a lot of times. You could see a lot of players slipped. That’s dangerous, man.”
This match was the LA's opening Cup game at their arena this year after starting group play with a pair of games on the road. He said he couldn’t remember whether the courts in the Pelicans’ arena and Memphis’ venue were less grippy than usual.
“Since they’re fresh surfaces, they’re difficult,” Luka observed. “A few games ... should help break them in.”
Athlete Feedback
Complaints about the distinctive courts are a recurring issue. Jaylen Brown reported he hurt his lower body while playing on the Raptors’ NBA Cup court in 2023, and fellow competitors have shared their views on the hazards of playing on unworn hardwood.
LeBron James said he observed “several players” slipping on the court that night, but wasn’t concerned about his own safety.
Seasonal Success
The Lakers locked up their group and obtained a place in the knockout stage with their success. It’s an exciting development for Dončić, who understands the concept of Cup competitions in a way his American colleagues may not.
“Having never advanced past the group stage, this is a fresh experience,” Dončić commented. “With my background in Spanish basketball, I appreciate this format.”
After hearing he had secured at least $53,000 with the Lakers' group win, Dončić, who has nearly $200 million in lifetime income, smiled.
“Of course, I’m happy to receive the funds,” Luka laughed.
