The Los Angeles Lakers did not use the alternate NBA Cup court for their quarterfinal game against the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
The decision not to use the yellow alternate court was made “out of an abundance of caution,” ESPN reported.
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Lakers star Luka Doncic was among the players who had issues slipping on the court during the team’s 135-118 victory over the L.A. Clippers on Nov. 25.
“It’s just slippery. It’s dangerous,” Doncic said after that game. “I slipped. I slipped a lot of times, and you could see a lot of players slipped. And that’s dangerous, man.”
Los Angeles Clippers guards Kobe Sanders (4) and James Harden (1) defend a shot by Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on Nov. 25.
The league provided an alternate court to each of the 30 teams as a promotional tool for the tournament games.
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The Lakers’ alternate court was not used in the 129-119 home victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 29. That win allowed the Lakers to advance to the quarterfinal round.
The court was returned to the creator for repairs, but was not expected to be ready in time for the game against the Spurs.
USA TODAY reached out to the Lakers for comment about the decision, but has not heard back.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors’ Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors’ Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Washington Wizards’ Cam Whitmore dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 25: The Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns’ Grayson Allen at Ball Arena.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 24: The Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. dunks against the Miami Heat at FedExForum.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 24: The Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo dunks over the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. at FedExForum.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 22: The New York Knicks’ OG Anunoby goes up for a reverse dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 22: The Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers at Delta Center.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lakers not using NBA Cup court for game vs Spurs