Troy Taormina-Imagn Images/Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
WWE legend Ric Flair likely knows a thing or two about shooting himself up with drugs. And now he’s trying to impart that “wisdom” on Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic.
During the Los Angeles Lakers loss in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Ric Flair took to social media to blast Luka Doncic for not suiting up for the game. Doncic has been sidelined for about a month with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
WWE legend Ric Flair called out Luka Doncic for not taking a cortisone shot to play in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Thunder
According to Flair, the All-Star should simply shoot himself up with cortisone and “deal with the pain,” arguing that he’s being paid $50 million per year and is a “lame duck” by not playing.
Flair also tagged Lakers co-owner Jeanie Buss in the post and said that he hopes she trades him away next season (Doncic was acquired by the Lakers in an absolute boon of a deal last year that immediately entered the pantheon of the most one-sided trades in sports history).
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! pic.twitter.com/c5R2OvAltU
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) May 6, 2026
Beyond being an outdated modality, the issue with Flair’s position is that a muscle strain — unlike, say, a bone bruise — is the kind of injury that can become significantly worse with cortisone masking and continued play.
Without Doncic on the court, the Lakers have been leaning on 41-year-old LeBron James as their primary offensive option, as he put up 27 points (on 12-17 shooting), 6 assists and 4 rebounds in the 108-90 loss on Tuesday night.
While the Lakers were able to get passed the troubled Houston Rockets in the first round on the back of LeBron’s efforts, toppling defending MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the #1 seed Thunder is an entirely different kettle of fish.
Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Thunder and Lakers will tip off from OKC on Thursday, May 7 at 9:30 p.m. EST.