EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers will abandon their special bright-yellow NBA Cup surface and play on their regular hardwood when they face the Dallas Mavericks in group play on Friday, the team announced.
Technicians from the league’s court supplier inspected the alternate floor and ruled it unfit after players raised safety concerns. Dallas star Luka Doncic labeled the court “dangerous” following the Lakers’ 135-118 victory over the LA Clippers on Tuesday, and Lakers forward Rui Hachimura said the floor felt “oily” and “slippery” during warm-ups.
The vendor plans to repair the court so it can be used if Los Angeles hosts an NBA Cup quarterfinal at Crypto.com Arena.
Los Angeles is 3-0 in group play, already assured of a quarterfinal berth. A win over Dallas on Friday would secure home-court advantage in the next round.
Source: ESPN.com
