TL;DR
- Lakers advanced to NBA Cup knockout stage after beating Clippers.
- Luka Doncic expressed concern about slippery courts being dangerous.
- Doncic pleaded with the NBA to adjust court conditions for player safety.
- Slippery courts pose a risk of injury to all NBA Cup players.
The Los Angeles Lakers are likely feeling optimistic about their Friday night matchup with the Dallas Mavericks, having secured a victory against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night to advance to the NBA Cup's knockout stage (they were eliminated in the group stage last year).
Although the 6-foot-6 star Luka Doncic is probably pleased with the team's undefeated 3-0 record in the group stage, he also voiced a serious worry, leading him to issue a four-word plea to the NBA after a close call on the court.
“Adjust the courts, please," Doncic told reporters after the Lakers’ 135-118 win over the Clippers.
"It’s just slippery. It’s dangerous.... I slipped a lot of times. You could see a lot of players slipped. That’s dangerous, man."
Doncic's concern extends beyond his own well-being to encompass every NBA player participating in the NBA Cup. His season might have concluded on Thursday had one of his tumbles led to a significant lower-body injury, a risk also faced by the other 19 players who competed alongside him.
If the problem isn't resolved shortly, a player could sustain an injury during a standard dribble or when trying a layup with minimal defense.
Hopefully, for the players' well-being, the NBA will make the correct decision and guarantee court safety from now on.
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