Lakers Say Slippery NBA Cup Court Is Fixed Ahead of Quarterfinal Clash With Spurs
The Lakers are breathing a sigh of relief - and they’re not the only ones. After days of frustration and player complaints, the team expects the NBA Cup court at Crypto.com Arena to be fully repaired and ready to go in time for the December 10 quarterfinal matchup against the San Antonio Spurs.
The issue? A dangerously slick floor that had players slipping all over the place during a recent game against the Clippers. The Lakers still walked away with a win, but the court conditions stole the postgame spotlight - and for good reason.
Luka Dončić, who’s been nothing short of electric this season, didn’t hold back. Despite putting up a jaw-dropping stat line - 43 points, 9 rebounds, 13 assists, and 7 three-pointers - Dončić made it clear he wasn’t impressed with the surface he had to play on.
“Change the courts, please,” he said postgame. “It’s just slippery. It’s dangerous… I slipped a lot of times, and you could see a lot of players slipped.”
That wasn’t just frustration talking - it was a veteran voice raising a legitimate safety concern. And when a player of Dončić’s caliber speaks up, the league listens.
The Lakers responded quickly, pulling the floor before Friday’s game and sending it out for emergency repairs. According to reports, the team is confident the court will be ready for the upcoming NBA Cup quarterfinal.
Dončić Has History With NBA Cup Floors
This isn’t the first time Dončić has raised red flags about NBA Cup courts. Last season, while still with the Mavericks, he criticized another in-season tournament floor, pointing out “dead spots” and instability. So when he talks about court conditions, he’s not just being picky - he’s been through this before.
And he wasn’t alone this time, either. Lakers forward Rui Hachimura noticed the issue early and didn’t hesitate to speak up.
“That was bad,” Hachimura said. “I felt it right away when I was warming up.
It just felt weird. Just like oily, slippery.
Everybody was on the floor, literally. Every second.”
That kind of feedback from multiple players made it clear: something had to be done, and fast.
Focus Shifts to the Spurs
With the court no longer a concern, the Lakers can now turn their attention to the Spurs - and that’s a good thing. For a team that thrives on rhythm and tempo, especially with Dončić steering the offense, confidence in the floor beneath their feet is more important than it might seem.
Basketball is a game of precision and timing. One slip can throw off a possession - or worse, lead to injury.
So having a stable, safe surface isn’t just about comfort, it’s about performance. The Lakers know that, and they acted accordingly.
Now, with the NBA Cup quarterfinals looming, the stage is set. The floor is fixed, the stars are ready, and the Lakers can finally focus on what matters most: advancing in the tournament.