Lakers will not be using problematic NBA Cup court on Friday

The Los Angeles Lakers edged past the Los Angeles Clippers in a 135-118 victory on Tuesday to clinch West Group B in the Emirates NBA Cup, but it wasn't a comfortable victory. The game was competitive for the first three quarters, and the Lakers' defense didn't exactly look impressive, at least until the fourth quarter.

There was an additional problem during Tuesday's contest. As Luka Doncic, who scored 43 points and missed a triple-double by one rebound, pointed out, the specialized NBA Cup floor used at Crypto.com Arena was slippery, and he urged the league to do something about it.

The Lakers will host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday in their fourth and final group play game of 2025. Per ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Los Angeles will use its usual court for Friday's matchup instead of the problematic one it utilized on Tuesday.

"After Luka Doncic presented concerns about the slippery surface of the special, alternative NBA Cup court the Los Angeles Lakers played on earlier this week, the Lakers will use their traditional court for their NBA Cup group game against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday," McMenamin wrote.

"The bright yellow NBA Cup court was examined by technicians from the league's court vendor and deemed unplayable for Friday, according to the team."

The court Doncic complained about will reportedly be fixed so that it can be used during the knockout round of the Emirates NBA Cup, which will take place just over a week from now.

"The vendor is expected to make repairs to the court and have it available should L.A. host an NBA Cup quarterfinal game at Crypto.com Arena."

The Lakers enter Friday's game with a 13-4 overall record and are in second place in the Western Conference. They have a five-game winning streak and are sizzling offensively with an average of 124 points and a 52.6% field-goal accuracy during that streak.

Dallas, meanwhile, is at 5-14, but it will be getting former Lakers superstar big man Anthony Davis back on Friday after he missed its last 14 games with a calf strain.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers will not be using problematic NBA Cup court on Friday