TL;DR
- Los Angeles Lakers defeated Los Angeles Clippers 135-118 to clinch NBA Cup Group B.
- Lakers are on a five-game winning streak, aiming for another NBA Cup title.
- Luka Doncic expressed enjoyment in advancing past the group stage, a new experience.
- Doncic's comments may be a dig at the Dallas Mavericks and his past performance.
The Los Angeles Lakers secured a 135-118 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday to clinch Group B of the NBA Cup.
Having secured an NBA Cup championship in 2023, the Lakers are currently on a hot streak, having won five games in a row and putting themselves in a strong position to contend for another NBA Cup title.
Following Los Angeles’ 17-point win, the organization’s star point guard, Luka Doncic, took a dig at the Dallas Mavericks while speaking to reporters.
"I don't believe I've ever advanced beyond the group stage (in Dallas)," Doncic remarked. "So, this is a new experience for me. I've participated in something similar in Spain. Therefore, I'm enjoying it."
Doncic and the Mavericks concluded the group stage in 2023 with a middling 2-2 performance, failing to secure a spot in the knockout round.
Although Doncic has evidently forgotten it, Dallas was eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the initial round of last year's knockout stage.
It's plausible that Doncic's unintentional error was meant to demonstrate his admiration for The Lakers and further demoralize a Mavericks team still recovering from their perplexing choice to trade the five-time All-Star to Los Angeles in the previous year.
Doncic is thriving with the Lakers during his first full season with the organization (he’s averaging 35 2points, 9.2 assists, and 8.8 rebounds per game) and wants the Mavericks’ organization to continue to feel devastated about their unfortunate decision to part ways with their generational point guard.
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