Lakers won’t use NBA Cup floor vs. Mavericks due to safety concerns

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers will not use their special NBA Cup floor Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks because of safety concerns, the team said.

Following the Lakers’ 135-118 win Tuesday against the LA Clippers, Lakers star Luka Dončić said the NBA Cup floor the Lakers used for the first time was too slippery.

“I slipped a lot of times and you could see a lot of players slipped,” he said after beating the Clippers. “And that’s dangerous, man.”

Dončić mentioned the floor three times Tuesday during his postgame interview.

The Lakers, who clinched their group Tuesday and can clinch home-court advantage in the quarterfinals with a win Friday, will play the Mavericks on their normal home floor.

The team said technicians from the league’s court vendor determined the floor was unplayable and would need repair. It’s expected to be ready in two weeks, when the Lakers could potentially host a game in the knockout round.

Speaking at shootaround Friday morning, Rui Hachimura also said he thought the Lakers’ NBA Cup court was too slippery.

“That was bad,” Hachimura said. “I felt it right away when I was warming up. It just felt weird. Just like oily, slippery. Everybody was on the floor, literally. Every second. But they — I don’t know if they fixed it or they changed it. … We’re going to do the normal court, so it will be fine.”

Center DeAndre Ayton, who missed Tuesday’s game with a knee contusion, will return Friday against the Mavericks. Guard Marcus Smart is doubtful with back spasms.