A daunting second in Cleveland has reignited issues about participant security after Luka Doncic narrowly prevented what may have been a severe harm.
Early within the first quarter of the Lakers’ loss to the Cavaliers, Doncic stepped again to launch a three-pointer, then hopped backward into the small hole between the raised court docket and the sector ground at Rocket Area, the one NBA area with this design.
The misstep despatched him crashing to the bottom, prompting fast concern from each benches.
Doncic briefly headed to the locker room earlier than returning to complete the sport, however the scare lingered nicely past the ultimate buzzer. Afterward, the Lakers star admitted the autumn shook him, and he knew simply how shut he got here to catastrophe.
“I sort of bought scared,” Doncic mentioned after the sport by way of Dan Woike of The Athletic. “It wasn’t an amazing feeling, and, trying again on the video, I believe I bought somewhat bit fortunate.”
“WHO THE F*** MADE THIS FLOOR, GOD DAMN IT?!”
Luka Doncic after hurting his ankle on the Cavs raised court docket 😳
(by way of @PostDaws) pic.twitter.com/dxGI7zoZd9
— Basketball Without end (@bballforever_) January 29, 2026
Regardless of the incident, Doncic nonetheless poured in 29 factors to go together with 5 rebounds and 6 assists, although it wasn’t sufficient to maintain Los Angeles aggressive in a 129–99 loss.
The end result, nonetheless, felt secondary to the bigger concern raised by the autumn.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick didn’t maintain again when requested concerning the court docket design, calling it a long-standing drawback that the league has but to handle.
“It’s completely a security hazard,” Redick mentioned after the sport. “And I don’t know why it’s nonetheless like that. I don’t. You already know, you may lodge formal complaints. Plenty of instances you don’t see any change while you lodge a proper grievance.”
Redick’s frustration echoed what many across the league have quietly felt for years. With each different NBA area that includes a flush court-to-floor format, gamers are merely not accustomed to navigating a raised floor in dwell motion, particularly throughout fast-paced sequences like Doncic’s step-back.
READ MORE: Bucks Legitimately Listening to Giannis Antetokounmpo Commerce Provides For First Time
