The NBA playoffs have always been a battleground of intensity, passion, and at times, controversy. One such moment arrived during a heated matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves when Jaden McDaniels appeared to intentionally trip Luka Doncic — an incident that immediately sparked outrage among fans, especially those supporting the Lakers.

The play in question occurred during a crucial stretch of the game, as the Timberwolves were making a run to cut down a once-daunting Lakers lead. McDaniels, known for his defensive grit, seemed to extend his leg as Doncic attempted to maneuver around him, causing the Dallas Mavericks star to stumble and fall. While Doncic escaped uninjured, the incident did not go unnoticed.

Lakers fans quickly took to social media to voice their anger:

“That was a dirty a** play. Should get a fine,” one fan fumed.

“Trying to injure Luka,” another commented, clearly believing the move was deliberate.

“Gotta suspend him. This is an effort to injure. NBA gotta be better,” a third said, calling on the league to take action.

Others pointed out what they perceive as a pattern of overly aggressive or dirty plays from the Timberwolves throughout the series:

“Don’t forget Naz hitting Rui on the face, Randle landing his forearm on LeBron’s head. Even that dirty DiVincenzo elbowing Vando on the chest and initially getting away with it had JJ not challenged,” a fan listed in frustration.

The outrage wasn’t just about one play — it was part of a growing sentiment among Lakers supporters that the Timberwolves have crossed the line of physicality in the series. Some fans even used the moment to mock narratives about the Lakers receiving favorable treatment from referees:

“But… but… they said refs favor the Lakers,” one wrote sarcastically.

While Doncic was clearly frustrated by the no-call, he maintained his composure, eventually confronting the officials to express his concern about being tripped. Had the Lakers lost the game, the backlash might have been even more severe, but they managed to hold on and win 94-85, staving off the Timberwolves’ late push — which included a key three-pointer from McDaniels himself during a 12-5 run.

The NBA has yet to issue an official statement regarding the play, but with video clips circulating widely and fan reactions mounting, many expect the league office to take a closer look.