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The Mavericks' guard voiced serious concerns regarding the unique NBA Cup basketball floor at the Los Angeles Lakers' downtown arena, labeling it “treacherous” and “hazardous”.

Dončić was far more pleased, on the other hand, with his team's cohesion and resilience after Jaxson Hayes stood up for him during a tense altercation with opponent Kris Dunn – and Dončić has promised to pay the fine Hayes incurred for the resulting technical foul.

Game Highlights

Luka produced an impressive game with a 43-point outing, 13 dimes, and nine boards during the decisive win over the Clippers on that evening, narrowly missing his tenth career triple-double with 40+ points.

LA's fifth consecutive win took a heated turn toward the end when Kris Dunn knocked Dončić to the floor with a bump to the back. Dončić got up and challenged Dunn, who shoved the ball into his mid-section. Hayes reacted with a strong thrust of Dunn, who attempted to retaliate with a swing at his head while referees and fellow players pulled apart the altercation.

“It’s on me,” Luka stated. “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.”

History of Tension

Dončić and Dunn have previously had several game-time confrontations.

• They received technical fouls for a heated disagreement when the Mavericks met Dunn’s Utah Jazz in 2023.
• Dončić looked Dunn away when he was removed from a Clippers-Mavericks game in December 2024.
• Kris Dunn looked like he tried to hurt Luka with a trip from the back when the Lakers faced the LA Clippers last March.

Tuesday’s confrontation resulted in Dunn’s ejection for a pair of technicals.

“While going for a rebound, I was struck from behind,” he commented. “I won’t just take that. I ain’t afraid of nobody. I’m not going to just stand there and let it go. ... That’s what the game is about. Sometimes it’s going to get physical. Verbal sparring is common. I thrive on that, and I enjoy it.”

Playing Surface Issues

The contest was held on the Lakers' yellow version of the unique courts implemented across the NBA for tournament games – but Luka did not feel safe.

“Please fix the courts,” he urged after praising the format of the event, now in its third season. “It’s just slippery. It poses a risk... There were multiple slips. You could see a lot of players slipped. That’s dangerous, man.”

This match was the LA's initial Cup game at Staples Center this campaign after starting group play with two away matches. He said he was unsure whether the courts in New Orleans and Memphis’ venue were less grippy than usual.

“Since they’re fresh surfaces, they’re difficult,” Luka commented. “A few games ... should help break them in.”

Athlete Feedback

Criticisms about the special courts are not new. Celtics’ Jaylen Brown said he strained his hip while playing on the Raptors’ NBA Cup court in the previous season, and fellow competitors have weighed in on the hazards of playing on new floors.

The veteran star remarked he noticed “several players” having difficulty on the court Tuesday, but wasn’t concerned about his own safety.

Cup Advancement

The team locked up their group and secured a place in the NBA Cup quarter-finals with their victory. This is thrilling for the star, who understands the idea of in-season events in a way his US-based fellow players frequently don’t.

“Having never advanced past the group stage, this is a fresh experience,” Dončić explained. “I played it in Spain, something like this, so I like it.”

Upon learning he had earned at least a significant sum with the team’s group win, Dončić, who has nearly $200 million in professional salary, chuckled.

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