The Los Angeles Lakers bagged another road win on Tuesday night, taking down the New Orleans Pelicans 111-103. Luka Doncic put up 30 points in what turned into a statement performance.
LeBron James matched that total, and the Lakers climbed to 23-11 with the victory. The defining moment came late in the fourth quarter. With just over two minutes left, Doncic pulled up from about 30 feet out and drained a deep three right behind James.
Advertisement
MORE: Anthony Davis draws trade interest from NBA powerhouse
His teammates erupted. But Doncic had other business to handle first. A courtside fan had been running his mouth, and after the shot dropped, Doncic let him have it.
“You’re trash.” Pelicans fan to Luka Doncic.
Advertisement
“What’d you say, mother**ker? What the f**k did you say?” Luka Doncic replied after hitting the three.
Pelicans fan to Luka Doncic:
“You’re trash!”
Luka Doncic after hitting the three:
“What’d you say motherf**ker? What the f**k did you say?”pic.twitter.com/7DJVqKtj4D
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) January 7, 2026
The exchange lit up social media almost immediately. NBA fans ate it up.
Advertisement
One fan commented, “Proven the haters wrong. He don’t miss.” Another wrote, “that’s Luka in a nutshell. heckling just flips the switch and makes him better. do fans ever learn or is that part of the show at this point.”
One fan wrote, “When will people learn – watch how you talk to the GOAT.”
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) jokes with forward/guard Luka Doncic (77) after a shot against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
No long speeches followed. The moment carried itself. Doncic finished the night on 11-of-22 shooting with 10 assists across 37 minutes. He went 3-of-10 from deep, but those makes landed when it mattered most.
The Lakers now sit third in the Western Conference. They closed this one with authority. The bench felt it. The momentum shifted late and never came back.
Doncic stayed composed under pressure, took over when needed, and answered the noise the way he usually does. Sometimes with a bucket. Sometimes with a few words. Tuesday night, he delivered both.
—Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead—
NFL:Positional needs for the 18 eliminated NFL teams
CFB:2026 college football transfer portal: What schools are paying by position
MLB:Athletics dealt setback in move to Las Vegas
NBA:Draymond Green slams Jordan Poole after Mark Williams-Jose Alvarado fight
ENTERTAINMENT:Snoop Dogg bashes current NBA players for lack of physicality during NBC broadcast
SPORTS MEDIA:Steelers-Ravens wild NFL finish is better with viral international announcer calls