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The Los Angeles Lakers were in complete control Thursday night, taking a commanding 69-49 lead into halftime against the Golden State Warriors. LeBron James was on fire, torching Golden State's defense with 23 first-half points, including a deep logo three that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. The Lakers looked locked in, playing with confidence and energy.
The Warriors, on the other hand, were having one of those nights. And nothing summed up their struggles better than Draymond Green's blown layup in the second quarter. Wide open under the basket, Green had a chance for an easy two. Instead, the ball bounced off the rim, the Lakers took off in transition, and LeBron promptly drained another three. It was the kind of sequence that makes you wince-unless, of course, you were sitting on the Lakers bench.
Enter Luka Doncic. The Lakers' newest star wasn't on the floor at the time, but he was fully engaged in the action-especially when Green's miss unfolded. Cameras caught Luka shaking his head, chuckling at the blunder, unable to contain his amusement. His reaction was subtle at first, but as the play developed, his laughter became more obvious. And just like that, a forgettable layup turned into an instant viral moment.
NBA fans didn't miss a beat. Social media exploded with slowed-down replays of Luka's reaction, complete with captions and memes. "Luka watching Draymond sell that layup like it's a trade deadline move," one fan joked. Others pointed out how Doncic's laughter felt like the ultimate summary of the game itself-one team dominating, the other searching for answers.
Warriors frustrated, Lakers thriving, and the internet having a field day
Green, to his credit, has never been one to dwell on bad plays. He's had plenty of ups and downs in his career, and a missed layup isn't going to rattle him. But for the Warriors, it was another frustrating reminder of how things have been trending lately.
Meanwhile, the Lakers' bench was all smiles. A few moments later, LeBron took a seat next to Luka and Bronny James, soaking in the good vibes as the team cruised toward a victory. While Golden State tried to regroup, Los Angeles was already in celebration mode.
The game ended, but the internet didn't let it go. Even Inside the NBA had fun with the moment, with Shaquille O'Neal cracking up as Charles Barkley joked, "Draymond was so open, he forgot how to shoot." The Warriors will bounce back, but Luka? He's got himself a courtside memory that might just outlive the game itself.