Luka Doncic Called Out By Lakers Announcers Amid ‘Whiner’ Label

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Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic during the third quarter of an NBA game at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic’s inclination to complain to referees rather than sprint back on defense has been a recurring topic throughout his career, but the Los Angeles Lakers star has never faced more criticism for his annoying trait.

After The Ringer’s Zach Lowe and Max Kellerman called out Doncic for his incessant whining, Lakers announcers Bill Macdonald and Stu Lantz did the unthinkable on Tuesday — they ripped their franchise star for his shoddy transition defense.

“Luka — again he’s complaining — gotta get back on defense,” Macdonald said.

The incident in question occurred at the 7:03 mark of the third quarter, when Doncic believed Paolo Banchero fouled him on his 13-foot fadeaway jumper. As seen in the video below, Doncic, instead of sprinting back on defense, was arguing with the referee, leading to a 4-on-5 situation on the other end and an easy layup for Anthony Black. To add insult to injury, Black completed the and-one play that helped the Orlando Magic cut the lead to five. Essentially, Doncic’s whining led to a three-point swing.

‘Whiner’ Luka Doncic

Doncic has been called out live on the air several times this season for complaining to the referees. Charlotte Hornets announcer said, “This guy is a whiner,” when Doncic was similarly responsible for a terrible defensive sequence that cost the Lakers a four-point swing during a road game in Charlotte in January.

“NBA on Prime” analyst Stan Van Gundy also ripped Doncic during the Lakers’ NBA Cup quarterfinal to the San Antonio Spurs in December.

“That’s the second time he hasn’t gotten back on defense,” Van Gundy fumed on the air as the Lakers star’s matchup completed a wide-open layup on the other end.

Making Lakers ‘Unwatchable’

In recent weeks, Lowe and Kellerman have expressed frustration with Doncic.

“The whining is back to peak Dallas levels,” Lowe said on his podcast.

“It’s every [expletive] play! Just play, man! Not everything is a foul. Are you playing to draw a foul or playing basketball? Which one are you doing? Are you playing 1 on 1 with the refs? It’s every possession now.

“It’s completely out of control, and unwatchable. I hate it because he’s a genius. He’s a literal basketball genius, who can get any shot, and any pass he wants.”

Kellerman was very serious in saying that a future Doncic statue would show him gesturing to a referee rather than making one of his customary trick shots.

“Luka statue is going to be him complaining to the refs.

“Every trip down the floor you are complaining to the refs. Every trip down the floor? Even when he hits the shot. No you are not going to get the and 1, it can’t be that the refs blow every call on Luka.”

Doncic had 22 points and 15 assists, but shot 33% from the field in Tuesday’s 110-109 loss to the Magic. He was criticized for passing up a wide-open three in the final seconds of the game, an error he acknowledged.

Sai Mohan covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan