The Lakers short-handed loss to the Brooklyn Nets (111-108) on Monday night, which was really disappointing since the Lakers have a much better record this season. You can excuse that LeBron James was out with an injury, but Luka Doncic was there. Sadly, he struggled with his shooting and later blamed the referees for the loss.
Luka Doncic only got to shoot free throws twice and kept complaining to the referees about missed calls. In the post-game press conference, Doncic did not hold back his feelings, stating, “At the end of the day, it was a lot. It wasn’t fair, but you know, just gotta play the game. I gotta keep playing the game. But it was a lot, man, I’m not gonna lie.”
Luka tried his best, getting his second triple-double since joining the Lakers with 22 points, 12 assists, and 12 rebounds. But his shooting was off, making only 8 of 26 shots. The Nets’ strong defense made it even harder for the weak Lakers to win.
The Lakers didn’t just miss LeBron James—they also had a weakened lineup, which made it easier for the Nets to take advantage. The Nets had lost seven games in a row before this, so they saw a chance to beat the Lakers.
JJ Redick shows disagreement with Luka Doncic
After Luka Doncic showed frustration with the referees after Monday night’s game, JJ Redick didn’t agree with him at all. Redick thought Luka’s statement sounded like an excuse.
Redick didn’t hold back. He wanted Luka to take responsibility instead of blaming the refs. He didn’t criticize Luka’s attitude, just how he handled the situation.
Redick said, “I think he’s been fine. Believe me, I’ve seen Luka get on the officials worse. It’s just frustration. Feeling like he got fouled some, feeling frustrated with how he played. So it’s part of it.”
