WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair has continued to criticize Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic during the team’s second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but Flair now says his comments are more about passion for the Lakers than personal criticism.
Doncic has missed the entire second-round series with a Grade 2 hamstring strain suffered in early April. Without him, the Lakers fell behind 3-0 after a 131-108 loss in Game 3 at Crypto.com Arena.
Flair first posted about Doncic after the Lakers lost Game 1.
“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! I Hope @JeanieBuss Trades You Next Year. Nobody Wants A Lame Duck On Their Team!” Flair wrote.
He followed with another post after Game 3.
“@lukadoncic, There Is Only One Word That I Can Possibly Say, And That’s DISAPPOINTED. 46 Million Dollars, And You Can’t Play.”
Flair’s comments quickly gained attention across social media as the Lakers continued struggling against the defending NBA champions.
Ric Flair Explains Luka Doncic Criticism During Yahoo Sports Interview
GettyProfessional wrestler Ric Flair
Speaking to Yahoo Sports on Sunday, Flair explained why he has repeatedly called out Doncic online.
“Not being hard on Luka. I just, I’m having fun,” Flair said. “I’m such a Laker fan.”
Flair acknowledged that he does not know the full details of Doncic’s injury situation.
“Of course, I don’t know anything about the extent of his injury,” Flair said.
The 16-time world champion said his mindset comes from his own experiences wrestling through injuries during his career.
“But I was, the first time I saw it, I did the same thing to the quarterback for the 49ers a couple years ago,” Flair said. “I get back in the game, man.”
Flair added: “You know I’ve taken a shot and wrestled with a broken ankle so I don’t have much sympathy for the hamstring.”
He also recognized that modern athletes and organizations prioritize long-term health and guaranteed contracts.
“But you know I know that they protect their future and I don’t blame them for that,” Flair said. “They got guaranteed money.”
Flair also referenced his long history as a Lakers supporter.
“I knew George Mikan,” Flair said. “I’ve been a Laker fan that long.”
Los Angeles Lakers Continue Fighting Without Luka Doncic
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic
The Lakers have struggled offensively without Doncic available in the series. Oklahoma City has won all three games by an average margin of nearly 20 points.
LeBron James finished Game 3 with 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, while Austin Reaves said after the loss that the team is still fighting to extend the series.
“We got to come in here and compete,” Reaves said. “We owe the organization that. We owe each other that. We owe our fans that.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick also praised Oklahoma City’s versatility after Game 3.
“This team in-game, because of their personnel, can just adjust like that,” Redick said. “They need shooters on the floor? Great. They need multiple wing defenders on the floor? Great. They need two bigs on the floor? Great.”
Even amid the criticism directed at Doncic, Flair has continued to show support for the Lakers and James throughout the series.
Before Game 2, Flair posted on X: “With or without Luka Doncic, I’m so confident that LeBron James will prevail tonight!”
The Lakers now face elimination entering Game 4 against the Thunder, while Doncic remains sidelined with the hamstring injury.
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Ric Flair Explains Why He’s Been Calling Out Luka Doncic on Social Media appeared first on HEAVY.