Lakers Cancel NBA Cup Court for Mavs Game Following Player Concerns Over Safety
The Los Angeles Lakers are set to return to their traditional home court at Crypto.com Arena for an NBA Cup group play game against the Dallas Mavericks. This comes after concerns about safety on the alternate yellow court used in their previous matchup.
Concerns Over NBA Cup Court Safety
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that the NBA Cup floor was deemed “unplayable” by league technicians. The court will be sent back for repairs. Lakers forward Rui Hachimura shared his experience, noting that the floor felt “weird” during his warm-up. Players described it as slippery, leading to multiple falls during play.
Previous Use of the Court
- The Lakers last played on the yellow court during a victory against the Los Angeles Clippers.
- In that game, they won 135-118 and improved their NBA Cup record to 3-0.
Following the match against the Clippers, superstar Luka Dončić voiced his safety concerns regarding the court. Lakers head coach JJ Redick also commented on the issue, mentioning that condensation can affect court conditions, making it dangerous for players.
Upcoming Match Against the Mavericks
The Lakers will face the Mavericks on Friday, with tip-off scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. A win would secure their position in the quarterfinals, allowing them to host a game on December 9 or 10.
NHL Influence
Crypto.com Arena is also home to the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. The arena hosted a game against the Ottawa Senators on Monday, just before the court was converted for NBA use. This quick transition may have contributed to the court’s issues.
Future of the NBA Cup Court
It remains uncertain whether the Lakers will use the NBA Cup court for their potential quarterfinal matchup or revert to their traditional floor. The situation underscores the challenges of maintaining safe playing conditions in shared arenas.
