Luka Doncic goes off on ‘really bad’ special court after loss to Pelicans

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 14: A general view of an NBA In-Season Tournament game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Dallas Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center on November 14, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/

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NEW ORLEANS - Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic was not happy after his poor performance in Tuesday night's loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Doncic struggled in the blowout loss, with season lows in points (16), assists (2) and rebounds (2).

The Mavericks guard also had 8 turnovers in the game. The loss likely will keep the Mavericks from moving on in the first annual in-season tournament.

After the game, Doncic criticized the Smoothie King Center's custom court.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 14: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks drives against Dyson Daniels #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of the NBA In-Season Tournament at the Smoothie King Center on November 14, 2023 in New

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"I think the court today was really bad," Doncic said. "It was really slippery, and in some places, the ball didn't really bounce. If we're going to have these courts, we need to make sure that it's a stable court."

The NBA made a late decision for teams to use the colorful courts for in-season tournament games.

Doncic is not the only player who has complained.

Indiana Pacers players Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton both said they felt like they were slipping on the tournament floor earlier this month.

On Nov. 10, the Mavericks decided to play their in-season tournament game on their regular floor, saying "a manufacturing issue" kept the custom silver and great court from being ready-for-tournament play.

Dallas has not said if they plan to use the colorful court for the Nov. 28 game against the Houston Rockets at the AAC.