It’ll be the LA Lakers vs the Dallas Mavericks in the next NBA Cup group stage game. They’ll be playing on their home ground at Crypto.com Arena after safety issues were raised with producing a unique alternative court. On his experience on the alternative court surface earlier this week, Luka Doncic said it was pretty “dangerous” for players. The Lakers have, indeed, already secured a place in the quarterfinals. They’ll be looking to secure home court advantage in the first round by winning against the Mavericks on Friday.
Fears over the newfangled court were raised when Rui Hachimura said he felt weird warming up on it. He noted, “I felt it right away when I was warming up. It just felt weird. Just like oily, slippery. Everybody was on the floor, literally.” This announcement further highlighted the players’ serious fears about the playability and safety of the unique field surface that was specifically manufactured for this event.
In response to these issues, the vendor responsible for the alternative court is expected to make necessary repairs to ensure its readiness should the Lakers host a quarterfinal game at their home arena. Meanwhile, the Lakers are dangerous as ever in group play, having compiled a 3-0 record. They look to continue that momentum going into their next match against Dallas.
Stephen A. Smith breaks down the Lakers’ potential route this season in his appearance on ESPN’s First Take. He minute to emphasize the growing impact of star players like LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Here’s how his insights furthered the evolving dialogue surrounding the Lakers’ NBA success and future in the NBA Cup.
The Lakers are preparing for this highly important game day. They are not only laser focused on their performance, they are focusing on players’ safety on the court first. With tensions rising and playoffs approaching, both teams are eager to showcase their skills while ensuring a safe environment for all participants.
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