Luka Doncic has always had a flair for showmanship, both on and off the court. But after the Los Angeles Lakers’ thrilling 108-102 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, he showed his playful side by taking a jab at teammate Dorian Finney-Smith for missing a crucial, wide-open layup.
While the Lakers secured their sixth straight win and climbed to second place in the Western Conference, Finney-Smith’s blunder did not escape Doncic’s sharp wit.
With under two minutes remaining and the Lakers up 107-99, Finney-Smith found himself wide open under the basket after receiving a crisp pass from LeBron James. It was the perfect opportunity to seal the game.
Instead, he shockingly missed the easy layup, failing to convert even on the tip-in attempt. The Clippers quickly took possession, momentarily keeping their hopes alive.
DORIAN FINNEY-SMITH OFF THE LEBRON ASSIST 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uQfI3MW1M9
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) March 3, 2025
Doncic, never one to let a funny moment pass, wasted no time trolling his longtime teammate. When Finney-Smith later made an Instagram post about a new partnership with audio brand Denon, Doncic hilariously commented, “Nice layup.”
The joke, simple yet cutting, quickly went viral, drawing laughs from fans and teammates alike.
The playful jab didn’t start there. As Doncic was leaving the locker room after the game, he made sure reporters hadn’t forgotten about the moment. With a smile on his face, he asked, “I hope you asked Dorian about that missed layup?”
Beyond the banter, Doncic backed up his talk with an exceptional performance, leading the Lakers with 29 points, nine assists, and six rebounds on 9-of-17 shooting. Finney-Smith, despite his mishap, still contributed 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting, playing an integral role in the Lakers’ defensive schemes, especially during a key second-quarter stretch where they held the Clippers scoreless for over seven minutes.
This moment, while lighthearted, reflects the chemistry and camaraderie that have developed within the Lakers squad since Doncic’s arrival at the trade deadline.
Many questioned how he would fit alongside LeBron James, but with the Lakers winning six straight games and surging up the standings, it’s clear that the chemistry is there—not just in play but in their interactions as well.
The Lakers’ 38-21 record puts them firmly in contention for home-court advantage in the playoffs. Their No. 2 seed in the West is a testament to how quickly they’ve adjusted after shaking up their roster at the deadline.
With LeBron just one point away from hitting 50,000 career points (including playoffs), excitement is at an all-time high in Los Angeles.
Up next, the Lakers face the New Orleans Pelicans, followed by a marquee matchup against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Given the way Doncic and Finney-Smith have been ribbing each other, don’t be surprised if the latter is extra locked in—perhaps looking to throw down a highlight dunk just to erase the memory of his botched layup.
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