Ric Flair had something to say about Luka Doncic, and NBA fans made sure he heard back. The WWE Hall of Famer took aim at the Los Angeles Lakers star Tuesday, the same night Los Angeles dropped Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals 108-90 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Doncic missed the game with his hamstring injury, which has kept him out throughout the 2026 postseason. That absence clearly wore on Flair, who has been vocal about his support for the Lakers.
“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! WTF!” Flair tweeted. “I Hope @JeanieBuss Trades You Next Year. Nobody Wants A Lame Duck On Their Team!”
Doncic was acquired from Dallas in a blockbuster trade over a year ago and still hasn't played a single minute in these playoffs. The Lakers managed to get through the first round without him, but the Thunder series is a different problem entirely. Oklahoma City enters as the top seed, and the gap in Game 1 made that clear.
NBA Fans Weren't Having It
Reports of a potential return have been circulating, but Flair's comments landed poorly with fans regardless.
"Buddy this is a real sport you're talking about. Not some oiled up play wrestling wearing speedos feeling up on other dudes." one fan wrote.
"Shut the [expletive] up. He carried us all year long. Hes been sitting out so he doesn't do further damage to the hamstring. Where is this same energy everytime Bron sits multiple games out cause he got sand in his [expletive]?" another fan wrote.
"I'd like to see you get in a game with a Grade 2 hamstring injury and be guarded by Lu Dort." another fan noted.
"Luka Dončić isn't sitting out for fun, injuries aren't something you gamble with, even for $50M. Long-term health > one game. And wishing trades over that? That's wild." one fan wrote.
"Luka loves basketball more than any other NBA player. He's the last one to sit out if he can play. Don't disrespect 77." one fan added.
"We know you just found out who he was this year and didn't know that, but what a retarded statement." another fan commented.
What a Cortisone Shot Actually Means
Flair's suggestion of a cortisone shot isn't completely off the table medically. It can reduce pain and inflammation from a strained hamstring and potentially open a window for Doncic to play. But it doesn't fix the injury and could make things worse if the hamstring is pushed too hard too soon.
The Lakers are already heavy underdogs in this series. Taking a risk that could turn a short-term absence into a long-term problem isn't a gamble the team is likely to make. Doncic's scoring can change a game in a hurry and gives Los Angeles at least some hope against Oklahoma City, but even with him healthy, this remains a steep climb.
