Los Angeles Lakers stars Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves had some fun before Tuesday’s home clash against the New Orleans Pelicans, engaging in a play fight along with a trainer.
The lighthearted moment sparked entertaining reactions on social media, with the NBA world hailing the standout backcourt duo’s chemistry.
Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves’ Lighthearted Pregame Scuffle Delights NBA World
While much of the narrative entering Tuesday centered around Dončić’s relationship with Lakers coach JJ Redick after their heated confrontation over the weekend, the six-time All-Star has long made his feelings for Reaves known.
Dončić and Reaves have exchanged playful jabs throughout their tenure as teammates since the former joined LA at last year’s trade deadline. This includes when Dončić quipped that he’s “not allowing” the undrafted guard to be his friend and when Reaves retorted by calling the Slovenian megastar his “least favorite teammate.”
However, their banter turned physical on Tuesday after Dončić gave Reaves a shove during his pregame warm-up routine. Reaves responded by beating the 2024 NBA scoring champion with a padded defensive training stick, while his trainer joined in, landing a few blows with his hand.
The spirited tussle prompted numerous NBA accounts on X to react to a pregame “fight” erupting.
“BREAKING: A fight breaks out between Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves,” fan account BronMuse shared.
BREAKING: A fight breaks out between Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves 😂🔥
(Via @PurpGolded) pic.twitter.com/dlcuXXm2Wl
— BronMuse (@BronMuse) March 4, 2026
“Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves getting into it before the game. Trouble in LA,” satirical outlet Hater Report posted.
Luka Doncic and and Austin Reaves getting into it before the game 😳
Trouble in LA 👀
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) March 4, 2026
“Luka hits Austin Reaves pregame so AR and the trainer start fighting him,” fan page LakersMuse wrote.
Luka hits Austin Reaves pregame so AR and the trainer start fighting him 😂 pic.twitter.com/7vxIdBl8Xm
— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) March 4, 2026
“Luka and Reaves 😂,” fan page LakeShowYo reacted.
Luka and Reaves 😂 pic.twitter.com/WcnpoJ3Nns
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) March 4, 2026
“Austin and Luka got the best relationship lol,” news account Oh No He Didn’t remarked.
Austin and Luka got the best relationship lol pic.twitter.com/mwJTm8mdf6
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) March 4, 2026
Reaves’ cheeky retaliation comes after Dončić trolled him following Saturday’s 129-101 road victory over the Golden State Warriors. While Reaves was conducting his postgame interview, the 27-year-old proceeded to undress and throw his clothes at him, prompting Reaves to call him a “freaking idiot.”
Nevertheless, the stars’ friendship appears to be as strong as ever as the Lakers look to fortify their playoff positioning in the cutthroat Western Conference. Dončić and Co. entered Tuesday sitting sixth (36-24), looking to build on back-to-back blowout wins against Golden State and the Sacramento Kings over the weekend.
