The Los Angeles Lakers’ locker room is in turmoil following their humiliating 89-111 blowout loss to the Boston Celtics on February 22, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. In a postgame bombshell that has sent shockwaves through the NBA, superstar Luka DonÄŤić unleashed a scathing attack on teammate LeBron James, accusing the 41-year-old legend of being “the source of the disaster” that doomed the team against their archrivals.
In a heated outburst captured by reporters outside the locker room, DonÄŤić declared: “I would rather sit on the bench for the entire season than play one more minute with him! Every time I see him step onto the court, I feel like I’m betraying my own career and my own dignity.” The Slovenian phenom, who led the Lakers with 25 points on 9-of-22 shooting, did not hold back, directly naming LeBron James as the primary culprit behind the Lakers’ offensive collapse and overall malaise.
The statement has plunged head coach JJ Redick into the worst crisis of his young coaching tenure. Redick, already under fire after the team scored a season-low 89 points—its second-worst output of the campaign—now faces a fractured superstar duo at the heart of the roster. The Lakers, sitting at 34-22 and struggling to maintain consistency in the Western Conference playoff race, were expected to dominate with DonÄŤić and James forming one of the league’s most potent big threes alongside Austin Reaves. Instead, the chemistry appears shattered.
The game itself was a nightmare for Los Angeles. Coming off the emotional unveiling of Pat Riley’s statue earlier in the day, the Lakers were outclassed from the opening tip. Jaylen Brown erupted for 32 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Payton Pritchard added a stunning 30 points off the bench, including six threes. Boston dominated the boards 59-39, shot efficiently, and pulled away decisively in the second half. DonÄŤić and James combined for just 45 points on poor shooting (18-of-43), with turnovers and defensive lapses compounding the issues.
The Celtics completed a season sweep of the storied rivalry, handing the Lakers their most lopsided home defeat in years.
DonÄŤić’s explosive comments came amid growing whispers of tension between the two superstars. Since the blockbuster trade that brought DonÄŤić to the Lakers in 2025, expectations have been sky-high. Fans envisioned a seamless blend of LeBron’s playmaking and Luka’s scoring wizardry. But recent performances, including this Celtics debacle, have highlighted mismatches: LeBron’s declining athleticism clashing with Luka’s need for ball dominance, inconsistent spacing, and differing leadership styles. Anonymous sources close to the team suggest frustrations have simmered for weeks, with DonÄŤić privately expressing concerns over shot distribution and late-game decision-making.
“I can’t keep pretending,” DonÄŤić reportedly told teammates in the locker room before his public remarks. “This isn’t working. We’re losing games we should win because of egos and habits that don’t fit. I’d rather ride pine than keep enabling it.” The words “source of the disaster” cut deepest, painting James—fresh off reaching 43,000 career points in the game—as a liability rather than the cornerstone he’s been for two decades.
Redick, in his postgame presser, tried to downplay the drama while acknowledging the need for change. “We were awful offensively tonight,” he admitted. “We have to do a better job moving the ball and finding rhythm. As for individual comments… we’ll handle internal matters internally. Our focus is on getting better as a group.” But the coach’s measured tone did little to quell the storm. Social media exploded with reactions: #LukaVsLeBron trended worldwide, fans split between defending the veteran icon and siding with the younger star demanding accountability.
LeBron James, who finished with 20 points, five assists, and four rebounds on 9-of-21 shooting, has not yet responded publicly. Sources indicate he was visibly stunned in the locker room and left Crypto.com Arena quickly after the game. The four-time MVP has long been the face of the franchise, leading the Lakers to a title in 2020 and maintaining elite production even at 41. But questions about his future—contract status, potential reduced role, or even retirement—now loom larger than ever.
The fallout could be massive. Trade rumors are already swirling, with some speculating the Lakers might explore moves to salvage the season. DonÄŤić, under contract through 2029, holds significant leverage as the team’s future cornerstone. Redick’s job security hangs in the balance; a prolonged rift could force ownership to make tough decisions. The Lakers’ next games loom large—a tough Western Conference slate that demands unity if playoff seeding is to be secured.
This isn’t the first superstar clash in Lakers history—Kobe and Shaq, Magic and Kareem—but the stakes feel uniquely high in the modern era of social media and instant scrutiny. DonÄŤić’s willingness to go public signals deep frustration and a potential breaking point.
NBA insiders are watching closely. Will this be the spark that forces a roster overhaul? Or can Redick, James, and DonÄŤić mend the fracture before it’s too late? One thing is clear: the Lakers’ season just took a dramatic, unpredictable turn. The City of Angels is holding its breath as the drama unfolds.
For now, the spotlight burns hottest on the tension between two generational talents. Luka DonÄŤić vs. LeBron James—no one saw this coming, but the NBA world can’t look away.
