The Lakers’ NBA Cup win over the Clippers came with plenty of fireworks, but none bigger than the 4th-quarter altercation involving Luka Doncic, Kris Dunn and Jaxson Hayes.
What started as a physical shove quickly escalated into a full team scuffle, and ended with Doncic publicly declaring he’ll take care of whatever fine Hayes receives.
The incident began when Doncic was knocked to the floor after a shove from Dunn, a play he immediately believed crossed a line.
As he stepped toward Dunn to address it, Dunn fired the ball into Doncic’s chest, pushing him backward. Hayes reacted instantly, storming in from under the rim and delivering a heavy shove. Dunn then struck Hayes in the face, sparking the full confrontation.
So Kris Dunn wasn’t happy with Luka… pic.twitter.com/0ourUgfOS7
— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) November 26, 2025
Once the officials sorted through it, Hayes and Doncic were hit with technicals while Dunn received double technicals and was ejected.
After the game, Doncic told reporters that he had already spoken to Hayes about the financial fallout.
“I got it,” Doncic said. “I told him right away… Of course I appreciate it. I told him right away, ‘Thanks for having my back’, and that says a lot about him.”
The Lakers star also explained why the situation got heated so quickly.
“Well, I was waiting for a rewind and I got a cheap shot in my back,” Doncic said. “I’m not gonna just stand. I ain’t afraid of nobody. I ain’t going to just stand and let it go. The ref was right there. I don’t understand how they didn’t call a foul on that one, but that’s what the game is about. Sometimes it’s going to get physical, and there’s a lot of trash talking. I live for that, so I love it.”
Hayes later confirmed the conversation and said he stepped in without hesitation.
“Yeah, he said he got me,” Hayes said. “He said he got me. I just didn’t like the way he shoved Luka, so I wanted to do something about it.”
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