Luka Doncic scored 43 points and dished out 13 assists to help lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a perfect 3-0 record in NBA Cup play in Tuesday night’s 135-118 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
But that wasn’t the biggest headline of the night for the top MVP candidate.
Kris Dunn Pushed Luka Doncic In The Back
Late in the fourth quarter, Clippers’ Kris Dunn pushed Doncic in the back, and Doncic immediately confronted Dunn, who then put the basketball in Doncic’s chest.
Lakers teammate Jaxson Hayes then stepped in and pushed Dunn.
After the players were separated, Dunn was assessed two technical fouls and ejected from the game, while Hayes was issued a technical foul.
Doncic shot a technical foul free throw with 3:33 left in the game.
Luka Dončić on Jaxson Hayes having his back after Kris Dunn slammed the ball into his chest:
“I’ll pay his fine for sure. Everyone on this team has each other’s back.”
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) November 26, 2025
🥹 Luka said he’d pay Jaxson’s fine❕
pic.twitter.com/qkqfaFUwWX https://t.co/e88I5MLb8l— LAVE (@TheLakersAve) November 26, 2025
“Of course, I appreciate it,” Doncic said about Hayes stepping in to help him. “I told him right away, ‘Thanks for having my back.’ And that says a lot about him. That says a lot about this team. Everybody has got each other’s back.”
One thing is certain: Hayes has nothing to worry about if the league decides to levy a fine.
“I’ll pay his fine for sure. Everyone on this team has each other’s back,” Doncic added.
A classy move like this should only improve team chemistry.
Hayes made his second start of the season with Deandre Ayton out due to a right knee contusion. He finished with eight points, four rebounds, and three assists in 29 minutes of action.
Doncic Continues To Make NBA History
Doncic opened with his highest-scoring quarter of the season, making his first five 3-point attempts — after missing 17 of 22 in his previous two games — and scoring 20 points in the first eight minutes of action.
According to Basketball Reference, Doncic now has recorded 39 double-doubles of at least 40 points, which moved him past Anthony Davis for the fourth most among active players and tying Magic Johnson for the sixth most 40-point double-doubles as a Lakers player.
Per ESPN Stats & Information, Doncic also tied Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal (five) for the most 40-point double-doubles as a Laker before the age of 27 since the NBA/ABA merger.
Doncic’s teammates had noteworthy performances against the Clippers as well. Austin Reaves posted 31 points and nine rebounds, while LeBron James had 25.
The Lakers clinched Group B of the NBA Cup and finish group play against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night. The Clippers, meanwhile, complete their group play versus the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Intuit Dome.
