UPDATE: The Los Angeles Lakers will return to their traditional court for tonight’s highly anticipated NBA Cup matchup against the Dallas Mavericks after the league deemed their alternate Cup court unplayable. This urgent decision comes in light of concerns raised by players regarding the court’s safety.
Earlier today, technicians from the league’s court vendor confirmed that the Lakers’ Cup court was deemed “slippery” and “dangerous,” prompting the immediate change. This follows a troubling experience during Tuesday’s game against the Clippers, where multiple players, including Mavericks star Luka Doncic, expressed serious concerns about the court’s condition.
“It’s just slippery,” Doncic stated after the Clippers game. “I slipped a lot of times and you could see a lot of players slipped. And that’s dangerous, man.” Teammate Rui Hachimura echoed these sentiments, saying, “That was bad. I felt it right away. It just felt weird. Like oily, slippery.”
The Lakers are set to host the Mavericks at 7:30 PM PST tonight, December 8, 2023, in a crucial match that will conclude their group play in the NBA Cup. The organization expects the Cup court will receive necessary repairs in time for potential quarterfinals scheduled for either December 9 or December 10.
Fans are eager to see how the Lakers perform on their familiar court, especially after clinching a victory against the Clippers just days ago. With the stakes high, both teams are primed for an explosive showdown.
Stay tuned for updates as the game approaches. This developing story highlights the critical nature of player safety and the urgent response from the league to ensure a fair competition environment.
