Wrestling legend Ric Flair, a vocal celebrity fan of the Los Angeles Lakers, posted criticism of Luka Doncic on X following the Lakers' Game 1 loss against the OKC Thunder.

After winning their first-round series against the Houston Rockets, the Lakers entered the semifinals against the defending champs, hoping Doncic would return in time. The Slovenian guard, dealing with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, has missed seven playoff games. The Lakers scored 90 points in his absence compared to OKC's 108.

Reacting to the loss, 77-year-old wrestling legend dropped a post on X. He wrote, “Luka @lukadoncic, Please Get In The Game! Take A Shot Of Cortisone And Deal With The Pain! They Are Paying You 50 Million A Year, And You’re Not There!”

Ric Flair, known for his toughness in the ring, has often highlighted his ability to play through pain. There are multiple instances of him wrestling while bleeding in the head. And he expected a similar mindset from Luka Doncic. 

However, injuries work differently on the basketball court. Especially, straining his hamstring could further aggravate the damage and affect his long-term career.

Flair followed with a message directed at Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, writing, “I Hope @JeanieBuss Trades You Next Year. Nobody Wants A Lame Duck On Their Team!” 

The team brought Doncic in last season in a trade that sent Anthony Davis out. It was a move that heavily invested in the team’s future, positioning Luka as the centerpiece. With James in the later stages of his career, the Lakers needed a generational talent to carry the legacy.

The Luka Doncic Return Timeline

LeBron James has led the Lakers' offense in Doncic's absence, consistently showing up on the offensive end. Moreover, with the return of Austin Reaves, the burden is slightly brought down. But it’s not enough. 

The Lakers will need a superstar like Luka Doncic to defeat the Thunder. According to Shams Charania, Doncic is on a “slow path” to recovery. While he has increased his on-court activity, he has yet to do a full-court workout.

At the same time, this update gave some optimism. The team still expects the star guard to return to the floor at some point in the series. 

For now, the Thunder hold the upper hand and continue their 5-0 postseason momentum.

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Written by

Shahul Hameed

Edited by

Siddharth Rawat