Luka Dončić delivered a dazzling performance as he led the Lakers to a 135-118 victory against the Clippers on Tuesday night, finishing with an impressive 43 points, 13 assists, and nine rebounds. Despite his standout contributions, Dončić highlighted concerns about the safety of the Lakers’ neon yellow NBA Cup court, urging the league to reconsider the design of these surfaces.
“Change the courts, please,” Dončić expressed candidly after the game. “It’s just slippery. It’s dangerous. I slipped. I slipped a lot of times, and you could see a lot of players slipped. And that’s dangerous, man.”
His call for change was promptly addressed later in the week. For their group-stage finale on Friday, the Lakers will not use the neon yellow Cup court, opting instead for a standard court. This decision follows a determination by league court vendors that the NBA Cup court was “unplayable” and subsequently sent out for repairs.
This isn’t the first time Dončić has raised the issue of safety on NBA Cup courts. During the inaugural NBA Cup tournament in 2023, he, while still with the Mavericks, criticized the New Orleans Pelicans’ court for being excessively slippery, citing dead spots that posed stability concerns.
The NBA Cup courts differ significantly from the regular ones used throughout the season. With their full-court designs and absence of wood grain, the entire surface consists of a large painted decal, which can lead to reduced traction for players. During pregame warmups, Dončić noticed the slippery condition of the court and even requested that it be swept again, although this did not alleviate the issue entirely.
Despite the traction concerns, Dončić’s performance against the Clippers was nothing short of remarkable. He shot above 50% from both the field and beyond the arc, demonstrating his scoring prowess. His decision to attempt 12 three-pointers might have been a tactical response to the risk of slipping while driving to the basket, yet he managed to maintain his scoring effectiveness.
In light of these developments, it is hopeful that the league will prioritize player safety and consider adjusting the court designs in the future. This would lead to not only improved gameplay conditions but also foster a healthier environment for all players involved.