Sources: Lakers to Use Regular Court for NBA Cup Quarterfinals
The Los Angeles Lakers are set to compete against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on their regular court. This decision comes after players expressed concerns regarding the specialized Cup court, which was used during the group stage. The Lakers had previously hosted the LA Clippers on November 25, where the court’s slippery surface raised safety issues.
Lakers’ Decision for Quarterfinals
Star player Luka Doncic voiced his discontent with the Cup court, labeling it as “dangerous.” Following these complaints, it was decided that the Lakers would utilize their standard court for the quarterfinals, ensuring the players’ safety.
- Date of Lakers-Spurs game: Wednesday, December 10
- Location: Los Angeles
- Context: NBA Cup quarterfinals
Reason for Court Change
A league source indicated that the change was made “out of an abundance of caution.” The specialized Cup court, which all 30 teams received for promotional purposes, was returned for repairs and was not ready for the matchup.
Prior to this game, the Lakers had hosted their final group stage game on November 28 against the Dallas Mavericks, securing a 129-119 victory while also using their standard court. Doncic expressed gratitude towards the Lakers and the league for addressing his concerns about player safety.
Doncic’s Support for the NBA Cup
Despite his critiques of the court, Doncic has endorsed the NBA Cup, which is now in its third year. He compared it to his experiences in Spain, where he participated in the Copa del Rey de Baloncesto. “I like it a lot,” he stated, appreciating the format of the tournament.
Upcoming Matchup Details
The winner of the Lakers-Spurs game will advance to the Cup semifinals, where they will face the victor of the Oklahoma City Thunder versus Phoenix Suns game, scheduled for the same day in Las Vegas on Saturday.
