Concerns Over Court Safety
Superstar Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers has raised serious concerns about the team’s alternate court design for the NBA Cup—expressing discontent not with its appearance, but with its safety. Following the Lakers’ 135-118 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, Dončić criticized the playing surface, stating that its slippery nature posed a risk to players on the court.
“It’s just slippery. It’s dangerous,”
remarked Dončić. He observed multiple instances of players slipping during the game, which he deemed potentially hazardous.
Pre-Game Precautions
Prior to the game, the 26-year-old player had already noted the potential issue and requested that a court staff member inspect the surface again. Unfortunately, this precaution did little to alleviate the situation. Lakers head coach JJ Redick speculated that the court’s condition was likely due to condensation problems, a consequence of the arena sharing facilities with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, who had played the previous day.
Lakers’ Performance Amidst Challenges
Despite the slippery playing surface, the Lakers managed to secure a victory with Dončić leading the charge, scoring an impressive 43 points. This win marked the team’s third consecutive victory in the NBA Cup, successfully earning them a place in the tournament’s knockout stage.
To distinguish NBA Cup games, teams have adopted alternate court designs, which tend to be more vibrant than their standard playing surfaces. The Lakers’ alternate court stands out with a bright yellow hue, though it seems more subdued compared to courts used by other teams such as the Detroit Pistons or Atlanta Hawks, which feature blue and red designs, respectively.
Looking Ahead
Time is of the essence for the Lakers as they prepare for their next NBA Cup matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. The team is reportedly focused on addressing the issues with the court’s slick surface before that game. With the Lakers boasting a commendable 13-4 record so far in the season, largely thanks to Dončić’s MVP-caliber performances, LeBron James‘s return from injury, and Austin Reaves‘s breakout season, safeguarding their players from any injuries is crucial.
An injury from slipping on the alternate surface could jeopardize their championship aspirations, making the resolution of this court dilemma even more pressing.
