LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic was not pleased by the special NBA Cup court at the Los Angeles Lakers' downtown arena, calling it “slippery” and "dangerous."

The Slovenian superstar was much happier about the Lakers' togetherness and toughness after Jaxson Hayes stuck up for him in his latest confrontation with nemesis Kris Dunn — and he plans to pay Hayes' fine for the resulting technical foul.

Doncic had 43 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds during a 135-118 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, just barely missing his 10th career 40-point triple-double. He did it all on the Lakers' yellow version of the exotic hardwood courts deployed across the league to distinguish the NBA Cup games — but Doncic didn't feel safe out there.

“Adjust the courts, please,” Doncic s

See Full Page