Lakers Deem NBA Cup Court Unplayable, Skip Mavs Game
The Los Angeles Lakers will utilize their traditional floor at Crypto.com Arena for an upcoming NBA Cup matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. This decision follows evaluations indicating that the alternate yellow court designated for the NBA Cup was deemed “unplayable.”
The Court Condition and Concerns
The NBA Cup court was reported to have issues that required it to be returned to the vendor for repairs. Lakers forward Rui Hachimura expressed immediate concerns about the surface. He noted, “It just felt weird. Just like oily, slippery.” Players experienced difficulties with footing, leading to several falls during warm-ups.
Prior to this, the Lakers had used the yellow court during a successful game against the Los Angeles Clippers, where they achieved a win with a score of 135-118. However, superstar Luka Dončić raised alarms about the safety of the floor after this game.
Head Coach Comments
Following the Lakers’ victory over the Clippers, head coach JJ Redick commented on the court conditions. He mentioned that condensation could prevent courts from drying properly, which can lead to safety concerns.
Background on the NBA Cup
- The NBA Cup features courts with vibrant designs compared to traditional wooden floors.
- This season marked the tournament’s debut during the 2023-2024 NBA season.
Upcoming Games and Quarterfinals Potential
With their recent victory, the Lakers improved their record to 3-0 in the NBA Cup, securing a spot in the quarterfinals by clinching Group B. They face the Mavericks on Friday at 10 p.m. ET, and a win would enable them to host a quarterfinal game on either December 9 or 10.
It remains uncertain whether the Lakers will return to the NBA Cup court for their potential home quarterfinal matchup or continue with their standard arena floor.
