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Thursday's Western Conference clash between the Los Angeles Lakers (46-30) and Golden State Warriors (45-31) emitted an excess of star power in Crypto.com Arena. NBA icons LeBron James and Stephen Curry were spectacular, laughing in the face of Father Time as they combined for 70 points and 15 assists. Luka Doncic also stood out, but for different reasons.
Although the stellar 26-year-old guard posted 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, he could not get his shot to fall in what was ultimately a 123-116 Lakers loss. Doncic was 6-of-17 from the field and 0-of-6 from 3-point range, failing to connect from distance for the first time in nearly two years.
He was far from the only player who fell short offensively, as LA's bench scored only seven points on 3-of-15 shooting, but fans naturally focus on superstars' struggles more than those of the supporting cast. When evaluating Doncic's play in a game that could carry massive significance in the playoff picture, people were quite candid.
“Luka better wake up.. lakers are 1.5 games from the play in,” @santy0423 observed. “You can't start complaining to the referee every time you miss a shot, which will seriously affect the defense of the entire team,” @Lujyunyi721108 asserted. “Maybe if {you} stop taking difficult shots, the shooting percentage {will} be better,” @CHEEZ20700548 commented. “The offense certainly wasn’t good but the defense is the real issue…” @bmc023 said.
Will Luka Doncic put it all together for the Lakers this postseason?
Those gripes are valid. Doncic's defense is lacking far too often and he constantly clamors for foul calls, preventing him from hastily getting back on the other end of the floor. One can also argue that the Slovenian could have leaned more on James and Austin Reaves, the latter of whom scored 31 points and drained nine 3-pointers. However, Luka Doncic has displayed generational greatness by trusting in his ability to take over games.
Despite posting a subpar 41.5 field goal percentage with the Lakers, the five-time First-Team All-NBA selection is still leaving a sizable mark on the court night in and night out. He is averaging 8.5 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 1.7 steals since the Dallas Mavericks traded him to Los Angeles in February. If Doncic is able to regain his effective shooting stroke, he will remind people why they relentlessly roasted the Mavs organization for dealing him away in his youth.
Many Lakers fans will take satisfaction in knowing that Doncic did accept accountability for his performance against the visiting Warriors. But they are depending on him to put his words into action Friday night versus the 21-55 New Orleans Pelicans.
