{"id":119895,"date":"2026-05-06T11:28:32","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T11:28:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/06\/ric-flair-calls-out-luka-doncic-before-game-1-and-it-backfires-fast-talkbasket-net\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T11:28:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T11:28:32","slug":"ric-flair-calls-out-luka-doncic-before-game-1-and-it-backfires-fast-talkbasket-net","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/06\/ric-flair-calls-out-luka-doncic-before-game-1-and-it-backfires-fast-talkbasket-net\/","title":{"rendered":"Ric Flair calls out Luka Doncic before Game 1\u2014and it backfires fast – TalkBasket.net"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Photo: Los Angeles Lakers\/YouTube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The Western Conference semifinals opened with a blowout, but the loudest moment came before tipoff when Ric Flair targeted Luka Doncic in a viral social media post.<\/p>\n

The WWE Hall of Famer wrote, \u201cLuka @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\u2019re Not There! WTF! I Hope @JeanieBuss Trades You Next Year. Nobody Wants A Lame Duck On Their Team!\u201d<\/p>\n

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Luka @lukadoncic<\/a>, 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\u2019re Not There! WTF! I Hope @JeanieBuss<\/a> Trades You Next Year. Nobody Wants A Lame Duck On Their Team! pic.twitter.com\/c5R2OvAltU<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ric Flair\u00ae (@RicFlairNatrBoy) May 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The message landed hours before the Los Angeles Lakers fell 108-90 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1<\/a> at Paycom Center.<\/p>\n

Doncic, who is dealing with a left hamstring injury, has missed the past month and was ruled out for the start of the series, with the team listing him as week-to-week.<\/p>\n

The absence showed immediately in the Lakers\u2019 offensive structure.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles shot 41.7% from the field and committed 17 turnovers, struggling to generate consistent advantages without its primary ball handler.<\/p>\n

LeBron James led the way with 27 points on 12-for-17 shooting, while Rui Hachimura added 18.<\/p>\n

Austin Reaves, a 23.3 points-per-game scorer in the regular season, was held to eight points on 3-for-16 shooting, reflecting the lack of playmaking gravity typically created by Doncic.<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City controlled the game with balance and efficiency.<\/p>\n

Chet Holmgren posted 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell each scored 18.<\/p>\n

The Thunder shot 49.4% and made 13 three-pointers, continuing a trend after sweeping the regular-season series by an average margin of 29.3 points.<\/p>\n

Doncic\u2019s absence removes a high-usage creator who averaged 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds during the 2025-26 regular season.<\/p>\n

His ability to manipulate pick-and-roll coverages and collapse defenses typically generates open looks for teammates, something the Lakers struggled to replicate in Game 1.<\/p>\n

Flair\u2019s comments reflect a broader tension often seen in playoff basketball between availability and long-term health.<\/p>\n

Playing through injury carries risk, particularly with soft-tissue issues like a hamstring, which can worsen without proper recovery.<\/p>\n

The Lakers now face a tactical challenge heading into Game 2.<\/p>\n

Without their lead initiator, they must rely on James to handle extended playmaking duties while secondary options create offense against a top-ranked defense.<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City, meanwhile, has maintained defensive pressure without Jalen Williams, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury of his own.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n