NBA needs to look into 'dirty play' on Luka Doncic

McDaniels was not hit with even a technical foul, let alone get ejected. Charles Barkley declared the play "dirty" and called for the NBA to fine the Timberwolves forward. However, he did not call for a suspension.

"Listen, I like physical basketball, but this is a dirty play right here," he said on "Inside the NBA" on TNT. "When you leg lock somebody like that, you just can't do this right here. That's a leg whip."

Kenny Smith agreed with Barkley's take, but didn't think it was egregious enough to warrant a penalty.

"I thought it was a cheap play, but not excessive," Smith said. "... It would merit a fine. It was dirty, but it wasn't excessive."

Shaquille O'Neal, though, felt the play part-and-parcel of playoff basketball, and that McDaniels was perfectly within his right to get physical. 

Thankfully, Doncic didn't suffer any lower extremity injuries and remained on the floor for the remainder of the game, leading the Lakers to a 94-85 win. If he did suffer an injury, the on-court referees would have come across as even more inept for not disciplining McDaniels. As Barkley suggested, the NBA needs to look into the incident and take the necessary steps to ensure Doncic is protected. The last thing it needs is for Doncic to limp out of the postseason for no fault of his own. 

The Timberwolves have been excessively physical through the first two games. The Lakers, who averaged 113.4 points in the regular season, have struggled to hit the 100-point mark thus far. The series shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Friday night.