UPDATE: The Los Angeles Lakers will switch to their traditional court for the highly anticipated NBA Cup matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on December 8, 2023. Technicians from the league’s court vendor have deemed the Lakers’ Cup court “unplayable,” according to team sources.
This urgent decision comes after several Lakers players expressed safety concerns over the alternate court’s slippery surface during their previous game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Star player Luka Doncic remarked, “It’s dangerous. I slipped a lot of times, and you could see a lot of players slipped. And that’s dangerous, man.”
Fellow teammate Rui Hachimura echoed these sentiments following Friday morning’s shootaround, stating, “It just felt weird. Like oily, slippery. We’re going to do the normal court [tonight]. So, it will be fine.” The Lakers are expected to have their Cup court repaired in time for a potential quarterfinal matchup on either December 9 or December 10.
Fans and players alike are eagerly awaiting this matchup, as the Lakers seek to conclude their group play in the NBA Cup with a strong performance against the Mavericks. The stakes are high, and the switch to the traditional court aims to ensure player safety and optimal performance.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
