As the Los Angeles Lakers and the LA Clippers faced off tonight at the Intuit Dome, something unusual happened. Lakers superstar Luka Doncic, currently leading the league in scoring, had an unusually inefficient first half, and Clippers fans didn’t relent for even a second.

On one trip to the line, Doncic was greeted by a surprising taunt. He faced the infamous “Wall” at the Clippers game, a section of the arena reserved for the most hardcore fans, who often try to distract the opposing team’s free throws. Doncic was met with signs reading “Ozempic,” “Weight Watchers,” and “Jenny Craig,” referencing his highly publicized offseason transformation.

In just under 20 minutes on court, the guard logged a disappointing 12 points on extremely inefficient shooting: 4-13 from the field, 1-6 from three, and 3-5 from the stripe.

For years, Doncic‘s conditioning has been a subject of lazy discourse surrounding one of the league’s most productive stars, often weaponized by talking heads and rival fan bases. Of course, it’s one of many narratives they can fit on a cardboard and hold up when the spotlight is on him.

Of course, what makes this all the more relevant is Doncic’s offseason campaign. Doncic reportedly dropped over 30 pounds after the blockbuster midseason trade sent him to the Lakers.

Then, Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison was hesitant to give Doncic the max extension, and after the trade, he publicly criticized Doncic for poor eating habits and conditioning.

That’s also the identity of ‘The Wall.’ Clippers owner Steve Ballmer designates the section in Intuit Dome to create an atmosphere similar to college student sections or major soccer stadiums, where fans can jeer opposing players and generate excitement.

It’s a serious affair: the seats are only given out to the most fervent fans, who are vetted by the team beforehand, and are expected to stand the whole game.

Injuries Compound as Luka Doncic’s Night Ends Early Against Clippers

As if the margin for error for the Los Angeles Lakers wasn’t already thin, tonight delivered yet another gut punch. Midway through the second quarter, Doncic appeared to tweak his leg and was visibly limping for the remainder of the period.

At the beginning of the second half, the guard was nowhere to be seen and was ruled out of the rest of the game with a left leg contusion.

The timing couldn’t have been worse for the Lakers, who are already struggling with key injuries to rotation pieces. Star guard Austin Reaves is out with a calf injury, with Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura joining him on the injury report.

Swingman Gabe Vincent’s back injury further thinned the team’s guard rotation. With Doncic out, the team was down to just one regular starter in LeBron James and a bench full of reserves, leaving little room to stabilize once momentum shifted.

Top Stories

Cameron Brink Announces Personal Decision Ahead of Unrivaled Debut With Paige Bueckers

LeBron James & JJ Redick Helpless As NBA Ignores Lakers Plea Despite 5 Punishments

Warriors Fans Erupt After Draymond Green Gets Ejected During Game vs Suns

Caitlin Clark Shows Concerning Signs vs. Kelsey Plum During USA Camp Debut, per National Reporter

Now, the concern has shifted from tonight’s loss to what comes next. Doncic hasn’t dealt with this injury this season, so the hope is that it’s a short-term issue and that he can return sometime around Christmas Day against the Houston Rockets.

The team has a small cushion of wins that they can use to weather the storm.