Kendrick Perkins Shading Luka Doncic as Playoff No-Show Like Joel Embiid Irks Fans – “This Has to Be Rage Bait”

It might not be a long stretch to predict that Los Angeles Lakers fans are thinking of the possibilities their team would have had if Luka Doncic were healthy and playing at his best in the postseason.

Even if Austin Reaves came in late, the Slovenian taking over the majority of the scoring and playmaking duties has been proven in the regular season to bring out the best from the team.

Sure, LeBron James brought another dimension, which probably left the Houston Rockets fumbling for answers, at least in the first three games.

But some might argue that had Doncic been playing, the series may not have stretched for as long as it did. However, he was not there to lead his teammates, and that is attributed as one of the reasons the Lakers simply did not have an answer against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Luka Doncic, for the last three years, it’s been something come postseason time. Whether it’s being out of shape, or dealing with some type of injuries… When it comes to being reliable, Luka is starting to get in that territory of Joel Embiid. When you need him the most, and it comes postseason time, he’s not available.

Kendrick Perkins said on First Take

"Luka is starting to get in that territory of Joel Embiid. When you need him the most, and it comes postseason time, he's not available." 👀

—@KendrickPerkins on if the Lakers should prioritize Luka or LeBron 🍿 pic.twitter.com/OjSUbQo4gU

— First Take (@FirstTake) May 14, 2026

This was the former champion’s opinion when asked whether the Lakers should prioritize Luka Doncic or James heading into next season.

Fans flame Kendrick Perkins for wild Luka Doncic analogy

Kendrick Perkins may be right to some degree when talking about Luka Doncic’s injuries, and his conditioning issues have become a recurring issue. However, fans were irked when he compared the father of two to Joel Embiid. The Philadelphia 76ers center has become one of the most frequently injured players in the league.

Since Doncic has not had anything close to it, fans felt this was Perkins losing his mind. They believe that either the former center was rage-baiting for clicks, or he did not know what he was talking about. Check out examples of those reactions below.

This has to be ragebait, why do these guys hate Luka so much

— Dwigoat Himowell (@AstaVista18) May 14, 2026

One of @KendrickPerkins worst takes to date. Stop the hate perk. Luka was playing amazing this season. Let's show him some respect

— Taylor Koss (@TaylorKossLaw) May 14, 2026

That’s a tough comparison to throw out there. Luka has definitely had some frustrating injuries at key moments, but putting him in the same “can’t show up when it matters” category as Embiid feels like a stretch given what he’s already done in the playoffs.

— Moustache (@Moustache_bq) May 14, 2026

"Embiid territory" my brother, Luka has played through injuries in the playoffs for 2 years in a row. this time it was either rest or never be the same player again. Perk should stop

— Grim 🏀 (@midrangegrim) May 14, 2026

I don't think so, Luka plays alot of mins every game.

I think this should go back to his coaches managing his minutes.

— Jonathan Reganz S (@JReganz) May 14, 2026

Clickbait nonsense. Perk just start watching basketball this year?

— Ryan B. (@Bevro04) May 14, 2026

Before this season he missed 3 total playoff games

— Pats Rebuilding Era (@Drakepats10) May 14, 2026

These takes always come across as personal. These media personalities and former players need to go back and listen to themselves, to see how ridiculous they come across to the listeners.

— Marcus Harrison (@pressededdie) May 14, 2026

Luka Doncic suffered a freak injury that has kept him out since the Lakers met the Thunder in their second-to-last battle in the regular season. He claimed that he tried to return sooner, but the time required between his PRP injections forced him to stay longer in Spain.

Those decisions are indicative of how the Lakers wanted to prioritize his health rather than rush their five-time All-NBA first-teamer back.

Kendrick Perkins flames Lakers for not doing enough after being gifted Luka Doncic

Aside from this bizarre opinion, Perkins raised another point: the Los Angeles Lakers have not done their part to help the players win a championship.

They really have lowered the standard of the Los Angeles Lakers. They care more about putting butts in seats and selling jerseys than they actually do about winning championships… I’m not about to sit up here and give Rob Pelinka for… getting Luka Doncic. That fell in their lap. That was all, Nico Harrison.

Kendrick Perkins said

The analyst pointed out that Rob Pelinka has done a subpar job as the GM, as none of the teams he has created since the 2020 title win have been capable of contending for another.

"They really have lowered the standard of the Los Angeles Lakers. They care more about putting butts in seats and selling jerseys than they actually do about winning championships" – Kendrick Perkins pic.twitter.com/P2qtYMhtRZ

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 14, 2026

Nico Harrison lost his job after gifting Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Other than that major move, the franchise has done nothing to give Doncic or James a chance at winning a title.

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