The Los Angeles Lakers will not use their special Emirates NBA Cup floor when they face the Dallas Mavericks tonight, opting instead for the team’s regular court at Crypto.com Arena.
According to the Lakers, technicians from the league’s court supplier inspected the Cup surface and ruled it “unplayable” after multiple players slipped during Tuesday’s win over the L.A. Clippers. The floor has been shipped back to the vendor for repairs.
Mavericks guard Luka Doncic raised safety concerns after the first game on the Cup court, calling it “too dangerous” and hoping for changes before Friday’s matchup. Forward Rui Hachimura echoed those worries, describing the surface as “oily” during warm-ups and noting that “everybody was literally on the floor like every second.”
Player safety remains a priority as the Lakers pursue the inaugural Emirates NBA Cup. Los Angeles has already secured a place in the knockout stage and would earn a home quarterfinal if it defeats Dallas. The team hopes the Cup court will be fixed in time for that contest; if not, the standard floor could be used again.
Doncic, competing in his first full season with the Lakers, welcomed the chance to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in his career. “I’ll accept the money—that’s easy,” he said, adding that the format reminds him of similar competitions in Spain.
Source: Lakers Nation
