Lakers will not use their special NBA Cup court during Friday's group stage game against the Dallas Mavericks after the team expressed concerns that it was too slippery.
After the Lakers debuted on the special yellow court with a win over the Clippers on Tuesday, the Lakers superstar Luka Doncic said during the postgame press conference that the floor was dangerously slippery. The team reported the problem to the league, and technicians from the court supplier determined the surface was unsuitable for play in the group stage finals, according to a team spokesman.
If necessary, the court can be repaired and prepared for the NBA Cup quarterfinals, which begin on December 9. The Lakers, who are 3-0 in West Group B, have already clinched a playoff spot and will secure home-court advantage in the quarterfinals with a win over the Mavericks.
The NBA Cup's colorful courts were designed to make season tournament games stand out from other regular season games. The Lakers played their first two NBA Cup games on the road in Memphis and New Orleans, but Doncic doesn't remember having any court issues in those games. But during warm-ups before Tuesday's game, it became immediately clear that the Lakers' bright yellow NBA Cup court presented a problem.
“It was just weird. Just like oily and slippery,” forward Rui Hachimura said Friday morning. “Everyone was literally on the floor. Every second… We're going to play on a regular court. [Friday]so everything will be fine.”
In the long-awaited return of former Lakers star Anthony Davis to Los Angeles, the Lakers will also get their big man as center Deandre Ayton was upgraded to available to play Friday after morning shootaround.
Ayton missed Tuesday's game with a knee contusion. He was injured in the previous game against the Utah Jazz when he took a knee to the knee. He said the impact was so hard it felt like he broke his kneecap, but after an MRI showed no serious damage, he was able to receive treatment and medication to help reduce the swelling.
“It’s not really something that stops me from playing,” Ayton said. “It hurts, but I can get through it.”
Davis has been sidelined since October 29 when he suffered a calf injury. The Mavericks forward is expected to play his first game against the Lakers in Los Angeles since last year's blockbuster deal that sent him to Dallas in a trade for Doncic. Davis missed last year's game in Los Angeles due to injury.
Lakers guard Marcus Smart, questionable for tonight's game, was downgraded to questionable with back spasms.
