Things got heated between Luka Dončić and Kris Dunn in the NBA Cup game between the Lakers and Clippers.
In the fourth quarter, Luka was pushed by Dunn and fell to the ground. He clearly thought that was a cheap shot, and as he approached him to talk about it, Dunn pushed the ball into Luka’s chest and moved him back.
Jaxson Hayes saw all of this from under the basket and gave Dunn a big push, then Dunn struck Hayes in the face and an NBA scuffle was underway.
After the dust settled, Hayes and Luka were both given technical fouls and Dunn received double technicals and was ejected. The altercation didn’t change the result as the Lakers cruised to victory over the Clippers.
During his postgame media availability, Luka said he had already told Hayes he would gladly pay any fines Hayes gets from this.
“I got it,” Luka said. “I told him right away…Of course I appreciate it. I told him right away, ‘Thanks for having my back’, and that says a lot about him.”
Luka continued describing the events as he saw them.
“Well, I was waiting for a rewind and I got a cheap shot in my back. I’m not gonna just stand. I ain’t afraid of nobody. I ain’t going to just stand and let it go. The ref was right there. I don’t understand how they didn’t call a foul on that one, but that’s what the game is about. Sometimes it’s going to get physical, and there’s a lot of trash talking. I live for that, so I love it.”
Luka is as competitive as anyone, so it’s no surprise he is ready and willing to match energies with anyone. What was great to see was that Hayes shared that same passion and supported him during that situation. It wasn’t just Luka out there by himself getting pushed around by the Clippers with no one stepping in.
After the game, Hayes confirmed that Luka would help him with the fine and explained why he jumped in for his Slovenian comrade.
“Yeah, he said he got me, Hayes said. ”He said he got me. I just didn’t like the way he shoved Luka, so I wanted to do something about it.”
Hayes having Luka’s back is another example of the great chemistry and culture the Lakers are fostering.
“I mean, we highlight that stuff to our guys all the time,” Redick said. “Whether it’s celebrating a guy making a shot. We had a great clip from Milwaukee, Nick Smith makes the three, Maxi’s celebrating on the court. Our bench celebrations. Guy falls down after a foul, it happened tonight, multiple guys running over to pick guys up.
“We’re not saying you have to do that. Those are not requirements but typically guys show their cards and show their hands whether or not they like each other and tonight was another example of that.”
Once Luka pays this fine, that should be the end of this situation. The Lakers won the game, backed each other and likely came out of it even closer as a team.
Things can get chippy during the intensity of the NBA Cup and if he didn’t know before, Luka certainly understands now that Hayes and the rest of his teammates will be there for him for whatever happens on and off the court.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
