“The whining is back”: Zach Lowe slams Luka Doncic for his constant on-court complaints

The Los Angeles Lakers have put together a solid campaign in the 2025–26 National Basketball Association season, compiling a 34–22 record to sit sixth in a tightly contested Western Conference playoff race. While the Lakers have shown flashes of championship potential, much of their resurgence has been powered by the brilliance of their franchise cornerstone, Luka Doncic.

Doncic has been instrumental in keeping Los Angeles in the mix as a legitimate title contender, delivering big scoring nights and orchestrating the offense with his trademark creativity. However, despite his undeniable production, aspects of his on-court demeanor have begun drawing scrutiny—most notably from respected NBA journalist and podcaster Zach Lowe.

The Lakers suffered a sobering 118–89 loss to the Boston Celtics at Crypto.com Arena last Monday (Philippine Standard Time). In the defeat, Doncic finished with 25 points on 9-of-22 shooting, but his plus-minus rating of minus-21 was the worst among Lakers players that night. While the stat line itself raised concerns, it was his visible frustration throughout the game that quickly became a focal point online.

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Cameras repeatedly caught Doncic gesturing toward officials and expressing displeasure over what he perceived to be missed foul calls against Boston. Clips of those moments circulated widely on social media, reigniting a long-standing debate about his relationship with referees and how it impacts his team.

Zach Lowe GOES OFF on Luka for his constant complaining to the refs 😳

“The whining is back to peak Dallas levels. It’s every f*cking play! Just play man! Not everything is a foul. Are you playing to draw a foul or playing basketball? Which one are you doing? Are you playing 1… pic.twitter.com/y8QFqWp2KN

— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 24, 2026

Lowe did not mince words in addressing the issue on his podcast, criticizing what he described as a return to old habits.

“The whining is back at just peak Dallas levels. It’s every f***ing play. Just play, man. Not everything is a foul. And it’s almost like, are you playing to draw a foul? Or are you playing basketball? Like, which one are you doing? Are you playing one-on-one with the refs? Or are you playing a game? It’s every single possession now. It’s completely out of control. It’s back to Dallas levels. It’s just unwatchable. And I hate it because he is a genius. He is a literal basketball genius who can get any shot and any pass he wants,” Lowe said on his podcast.

The reference to “Dallas levels” harkens back to Doncic’s tenure with the Dallas Mavericks, where similar criticisms occasionally surfaced despite his MVP-caliber play. Now in Los Angeles, the spotlight is even brighter, and expectations are considerably higher.

For the Lakers, the stakes extend beyond regular-season positioning. With the Western Conference as competitive as ever, maintaining focus and composure could prove decisive in the postseason. Doncic’s competitive fire has always been part of what makes him special, but channeling that intensity more constructively may be crucial if Los Angeles hopes to make a deep playoff run.

There is no questioning his talent—Lowe himself called him “a literal basketball genius.” The challenge moving forward is whether Doncic can strike the right balance between passion and poise, ensuring that his leadership elevates the Lakers rather than distracts from their championship ambitions.

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