Star player Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers had a fan sitting courtside at the Golden 1 Center ejected on Wednesday evening following an altercation involving the fan and an official during the game.
As Dončić prepared to inbound the ball towards the end of the third quarter in the Lakers’ 116-103 victory over the Sacramento Kings, he abruptly summoned officials and security to the baseline while gesturing towards a man seated in a courtside position. The individual had caught the ball during the previous play and haphazardly threw it back at an official, who was caught off guard by the throw. The ball struck her awkwardly, which did not sit well with Dončić.
“What the f*** are you doing?” Dončić seemingly questioned the fan before signaling for others to come over.
The officials paused the game temporarily and swiftly approached the fan, who was subsequently escorted out.
Following this incident, the game progressed without further issues. It remains unclear whether the fan responded to Dončić’s remarks.
At halftime, the Lakers held a seven-point advantage and then pushed forward in the second half to clinch the 13-point victory on Wednesday. Dončić continued his impressive scoring streak, concluding the game with 40 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, having shot 11 of 23 from the field. Remarkably, he has accumulated 40 or more points in five out of his last six games, which includes a remarkable 52-point performance late last month.
Austin Reaves contributed 21 points to the Lakers’ tally in the win, while Walker Kessler added 15 points and eight rebounds. The Lakers now hold a record of 7-2 for the season.
Darius Acuff was the standout for the Kings, recording 22 points and 12 assists in a loss, bringing their record to 1-7 and 0-3 in home games. Zach LaVine added 21 points, and Domantas Sabonis posted 16 points along with 17 rebounds.
The Lakers and Dončić will return to the court on Friday to face the Portland Trail Blazers.
