Luka Doncic took an elbow to the face, and somehow, Doris Burke made it sound like he was at fault. The Los Angeles Lakers’ matchup against the Boston Celtics on March 8 saw a heated moment in the second quarter when Jaylen Brown drove to the basket and caught Doncic with an elbow.

The officials initially called an offensive foul, but Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla challenged the call, leading to a review. To the frustration of Doncic and Lakers fans, the ruling was overturned. Doncic, visibly upset, expressed his disbelief on the court.

But what really set off NBA fans was Burke’s reaction. Instead of acknowledging the contact, she dismissed it outright, saying, “I don’t think that’s enough unless there’s a different angle here.” That comment sparked outrage, with many accusing her of blatant Celtics favoritism.

Although accusations of favoritism against Burke aren’t new, Lakers fans think her commentary on Luka Doncic went too far. Burke’s reputation among NBA fans has taken a hit over the years, with critics claiming she often downplays controversial moments when they favor teams she appears to like.

Interestingly, this criticism isn’t unique to her. Reggie Miller has faced similar accusations, with fans slamming his perceived bias during high-profile matchups. During a playoff series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies, Miller was heavily criticized for favoring Memphis in his analysis. His defense? That complaints from both sides meant he was neutral. Burke, however, has yet to respond to the growing backlash against her commentary, leaving fans even more frustrated.

Lakers Fans Rip Doris Burke Over Luka Doncic Call

The reaction was swift, and social media erupted with criticism directed at Burke for how she handled the Luka Doncic foul. Fans, already frustrated with the officiating, turned their attention to the ABC announcer, calling her out for what they saw as blatant favoritism.

Top Comment by Anonymous

She is who she always will be because of the position she is in. But if she lost this job...more

Share your take

Debate

“How do I mute Doris Burke?” one fan wrote, echoing the frustration of many who found her commentary unbearable. This isn’t just about this game—similar complaints have been made about other broadcasters, including Reggie Miller, whose calls have also been labeled biased. During a Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies playoff game, Miller’s commentary was widely criticized for showing favoritism toward Memphis. Burke, it seems, is now experiencing the same backlash.

Another fan made their feelings clear, saying, “Burke dea**** getting on my nerves rn.” The anger toward her isn’t new—fans have previously accused her of downplaying fouls and favoring certain teams. A similar situation unfolded during a Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics game, where she was called out for allegedly siding with the Celtics in her analysis.

Then came one of the sharpest critiques of the night: “So Doris’ logic is, every time you defend, your face should always be in another view.” This reaction reflects a bigger problem—how NBA commentators can shape public perception of officiating. While their words don’t directly influence calls, they do sway how fans interpret them, making fair analysis crucial.

But perhaps the most cutting remark of all? “Doris Burke on Celtics nu** man.” This isn’t an isolated complaint—Burke has been accused of Celtics bias before, much like Reggie Miller has been called out for showing favoritism toward teams like the Grizzlies. Fans are now questioning if these broadcasters can provide neutral commentary at all.

Luka Doncic has been on the receiving end of questionable officiating plenty of times, but this time, it wasn’t just the refs that had Lakers fans fuming—it was Doris Burke. Her dismissive take on what was clearly a foul only fueled the perception that some commentators let their biases influence how they call the game.

Whether Burke acknowledges the backlash or not, one thing is clear—Lakers fans aren’t letting this one slide.