Doncic Roasts Hachimura for LeBron Copycat Attempt

Lakers star calls out teammate for mimicking pregame ritual

Mar. 2, 2026 at 1:23pm

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Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic criticized teammate Rui Hachimura for attempting to imitate LeBron James' pregame warmup routine before a recent game against the Sacramento Kings. Doncic joked that Hachimura "was terrible" in his attempt to replicate James' signature move of throwing the ball up towards the rafters and catching it off the bounce.

Why it matters

The Lakers have established a specific pregame ritual centered around LeBron James, and Doncic seemed to take issue with Hachimura trying to insert himself into that routine. This incident highlights the team dynamics and pecking order within the Lakers, with James and Doncic as the clear leaders.

The details

During the Lakers' win over the Kings on Sunday, Hachimura tried to mimic LeBron James' pregame ritual by throwing the ball up towards the rafters and catching it off the bounce. However, Doncic was not impressed, joking after the game that Hachimura "was terrible" in his attempt. Hachimura had a relatively quiet game, scoring just 8 points.

  • The incident occurred before the Lakers' game against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, March 2, 2026.

The players

Luka Doncic

The star player for the Los Angeles Lakers, known for his elite scoring and playmaking abilities.

Rui Hachimura

A forward for the Los Angeles Lakers who attempted to imitate LeBron James' pregame ritual.

LeBron James

The veteran superstar and leader of the Los Angeles Lakers, known for his pregame warmup routine.

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What they’re saying

“Never again. Never again. He was terrible,”

— Luka Doncic

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of team chemistry and respecting established roles and rituals within the Lakers organization. Doncic, as a star player, seems to have taken issue with Hachimura trying to insert himself into LeBron James' pregame routine, underscoring the need for players to stay in their lanes and not overstep their bounds.