Lakers’ Donkic calls NBA Cup court ‘dangerous’

LOS ANGELES – Luka Doncic was not pleased with the special NBA Cup court at the Los Angeles Lakers’ downtown arena, calling it “sloppy” and “dangerous.”

The Slovenian superstar was more than happy about the Lakers’ unity and toughness when Jackson Hayes stood up for him in their recent matchup with nemesis Kris Dunn — and he plans to pay Hayes a fine for the resulting technical foul.

Donkic had 43 points, 13 assists and 118 points during a 135-118 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, just barely missing his 10th career 40-point triple-double. He did it all on the Lakers’ yellow version of the foreign hardwood courts set aside in the league for NBA Cup games — but Donic didn’t feel safe there.

“Fix the courts, please,” Doncic said after praising the format of the tournament, now in its third year. “It’s just a slip. It’s dangerous. … I’ve slipped a lot of times. You can see a lot of players slip. It’s dangerous, man.”

The game was the Lakers’ first Cup game at home after opening group play with two road games. Donak said he could not recall the courts in New Orleans and Memphis being more crowded than usual.

“I think they’re just new courts, so it’s kind of tough,” Donak said. “It needs to … play some games.”

Complaints about special courts are not new. Boston star Jaylen Brown said he injured his groin while playing on the Toronto Raptors’ NBA Cup court in 2023, and other players have weighed in on the dangers of playing on unfamiliar hardwood.

LeBron James said he saw “some guys” struggling on the court Tuesday, but personally didn’t find it dangerous.

The Lakers’ fifth straight win heated up late in the fourth quarter when Dunn drove Donk down the court with a back check. Donic got up and tackled Dean, who hit the ball in his chest.

Hayes responded with a two-handed punch from Dunn, who tried to return with a suit to the head of Hayes while the officials and teammates separated them.

Hayes will get a penalty for his tee, but it won’t cost him anything.

“I got him,” Donick said. “I told him right away, thanks for having my back. That’s what I love about this team. Everybody’s got each other’s back.”

Donic and Dunn have feuded several times in the past.

In December 2023, both received technical fouls during Donk’s Dallas Mavericks matchup with Donk’s Utah Jazz. Dunn kicked Dunn off the court when Dunn was ejected from a Clippers-Mavericks game in December 2024, and Dunn appeared to injure Dunn when he marched behind the Clippers.

The latest contest ended with Dunn being ejected for two technical fouls.

“I was waiting for a rebound, and I got a shot in my back,” Donak said. “I’m not just going to stand on it. I’m not going to fear anybody. I’m not going to just stand there and let it go. … That’s what the game is about. Sometimes it’s going to be physical. There’s a lot of trash talking. I live for it, so I love it.”

The Lakers swept their group and secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup with their victory. That’s interesting for Doncic, who understands the concept of cup competitions in a way his North American teammates often don’t.

“I think I’ve never been past the group stage, so it’s something new for me,” Donic said. “I played it in Spain, something like this, so I like it.”

When told that he has earned at least $53,000 with the Lakers’ group victory, the star with a $165 million contract just smiled.

“Obviously, I’ll accept the money,” Donick said with a laugh.