Luka Dončić offered a bizarre excuse for passing on an open shot, which ultimately cost the Lakers the game.

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a narrow 110-109 defeat at home to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night, and a late-game decision by Luka Dončić left fans — and even LeBron James — visibly puzzled. In the closing seconds, Dončić opted to pass up a wide-open shot opportunity that might have secured the win for his team.

Luka Dončić took the blame for passing up this open look in the final seconds of the Lakers’ loss to the Magic on Tuesday night. | @NBA

With just over six seconds remaining, Dončić caught an inbounds pass positioned a few feet beyond the three-point arc. He had ample space and was well within his shooting range, presenting what appeared to be a prime opportunity to attempt a potential game-winner. Instead of rising immediately for the shot, he took a dribble forward to get closer to the line. After doing so, he picked up his dribble and passed the ball to James. That decision forced James into attempting a difficult, off-balance fadeaway at the buzzer — a shot that fell well short of the mark.

Following the game, Dončić addressed the sequence and explained what was going through his mind during the decisive moment. Speaking to reporters via ESPN, he acknowledged that he had been open but felt he might have been slightly too far from the basket. He said he tried to take one dribble in to improve his positioning but admitted that he likely made the wrong choice by picking up the ball instead of attacking the defense more assertively.

Video of the final possession quickly circulated online, showing just how much space Dončić initially had before choosing to dribble closer. The sequence sparked widespread debate among fans and analysts, many of whom questioned why he didn’t simply take the shot when it was available.

Dončić elaborated further on his reasoning, revealing that he believed there was more time left on the clock than there actually was. He thought the Lakers had six or seven seconds to work with — enough, in his view, to generate an even better look by driving toward the basket rather than settling for a long-range attempt. That assumption influenced his decision to dribble and reassess rather than shoot immediately.

Meanwhile, LeBron James appeared surprised by Dončić’s choice. When asked about the final play, James suggested that Dončić had a solid look at the basket and indicated that he himself was not in an ideal position to receive the pass. From his perspective, Dončić seemed to lose balance slightly or never quite established a comfortable rhythm before Orlando’s defenders were able to recover and close in.

James explained that when the ball was passed to him, he was already somewhat off-balance, making it extremely difficult to get off a clean attempt. He reiterated that from his vantage point, Dončić had what looked like a good opportunity to take the shot himself.

Clips of James’ postgame remarks also circulated widely, with many observers noting his candid assessment of the play. While he avoided directly criticizing his teammate, it was clear that he believed the better option may have been for Dončić to trust his initial look.

Dončić ultimately took full responsibility for the outcome of the possession. He admitted that he noticed James open but was concerned about losing control of the ball under defensive pressure. With no timeouts remaining, he felt compelled to make a quick decision. In hindsight, however, he conceded that he should have maintained his dribble and attacked rather than stopping and passing. He acknowledged plainly that the mistake was on him.

The loss was a frustrating one for the Lakers, dropping their season record to 34-23. It also concluded an eight-game homestand in which the team finished with an even 4-4 record — a stretch that could have been far more successful had they managed to close out tighter contests like Tuesday’s matchup.

Now, the Lakers must quickly regroup as they head back on the road. Their upcoming schedule includes a challenging visit to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, followed by another tough test against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. With playoff positioning at stake in a competitive Western Conference, late-game execution will remain a focal point moving forward.

For Dončić, the moment served as a reminder of how razor-thin margins can be in the NBA. A split-second hesitation or miscalculation can determine the outcome of a game. While his reasoning reflected a desire to create the best possible shot, the decision ultimately backfired.

In the aftermath, the play became one of the most talked-about sequences of the night, highlighting both the immense pressure stars face in crunch time and the scrutiny that follows every choice. As the Lakers continue their push through the season, they will look to turn moments like this into lessons — ensuring that when the next opportunity arises, there is no hesitation.