Luka Dončić lookalike crashes Lakers bench before Rockets game

The imposter and his friend got close to LeBron James and Bronny James, who seemed unbothered by their presence.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:33am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game scene broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette, representing the unexpected appearance of a Luka Dončić lookalike at a Lakers playoff game.A surreal, cubist interpretation of the unexpected appearance of a Luka Dončić lookalike at a Lakers playoff game, capturing the fragmented energy and chaos of the incident.Los Angeles Today

A man who bears a striking resemblance to Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić showed up to Saturday night's NBA playoff game against the Houston Rockets wearing a No. 77 jersey and crashed the Lakers bench area, even getting a seat near Bronny James. The Luka lookalike, whose name is reportedly Tom Biddle, was accompanied by a friend wearing a LeBron James jersey.

Why it matters

The appearance of the Luka Dončić lookalike at the Lakers game has generated amusement and curiosity among fans, as the resemblance between the imposter and the actual NBA superstar is uncanny. This incident highlights the popularity of Luka Dončić and the interest surrounding the Lakers' playoff run, even with the star player sidelined due to a hamstring injury.

The details

The Luka Dončić lookalike and his friend, reportedly named Mantis Taylor, were able to get close to LeBron James and his son Bronny, who seemed uninterested in their presence. The duo's ability to access the Lakers' bench area has raised questions about security protocols at NBA games.

  • The incident occurred during Saturday night's NBA playoff Game 1 between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets.

The players

Tom Biddle

A man who bears a striking resemblance to Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić and crashed the Lakers bench area during a playoff game.

Mantis Taylor

The friend of Tom Biddle who accompanied him to the Lakers game, wearing a LeBron James jersey.

LeBron James

The superstar player for the Los Angeles Lakers, who seemed uninterested in the presence of the Luka Dončić lookalike and his friend near the Lakers bench.

Bronny James

The son of LeBron James, who also appeared uninterested in the Luka Dončić lookalike and his friend near the Lakers bench.

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What’s next

The Lakers will continue their playoff series against the Rockets, with the status of the real Luka Dončić's hamstring injury being a key factor in the team's performance.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the intense interest and fandom surrounding NBA superstars like Luka Dončić, as well as the potential security concerns at high-profile sporting events. While the Luka lookalike provided some lighthearted entertainment, it also raises questions about access to players and the need for tighter security measures at NBA games.