Lakers coach JJ Redick and defensive ace Walker Kessler applauded Luka Doncic for his standout defensive performance in the Lakers’ 131-125 victory over the Toronto Raptors at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday.
And Doncic’s response to the accolades?
“Finally,” Doncic said, laughing.
Doncic had five steals. He took three charges. And he collected 15 defensive rebounds. Oh, and he also had 45 points and six assists. He was 12 for 23 from the field, eight for 12 from three-point range and made all 13 of his free-throws.
But it was his defensive performance that drew the most attention on Doncic bobblehead giveaway night. As he sat in front of the media wearing a black baseball cap, Doncic was asked why he has this reputation of not being a very good defender.
“Why? I don’t know,” he responded. “Obviously, I’m not the best defender in the NBA, but I think this year I really took a step forward. Obviously, people are going to talk what they want to talk [about] me. … But I know, and my team knows, that I think I’m better this year. And that helps the whole team, I think.”
So would he rather win the NBA’s most valuable player award, defensive player of the year award or both?
Doncic paused and smiled.
“Both,” he said, laughing. “You guys vote for that.”
Perhaps, it was suggested to Doncic, his inspired defensive play is aimed at proving his naysayers wrong.
Lakers star Luka Doncic prevents the ball from going out of bounds in front of Toronto forward Scottie Barnes during the first half Sunday at Crypto.com Arena.
(Scott Strazzante / Associated Press)
“Look, people are going to talk bad no matter what,” Doncic said. “So I just try to focus on me, on my team, on what I can give to the team better. Like I said before, I think I made a huge step forward on both ends. So I just got to keep going like that.”
Doncic taking the charges impressed his coaches and teammates the most because it showed he was willing to give up his body to make a stop.
“Even last season, before last season, I don’t think I had maybe five charges in seven years, or six years,” Doncic said. “So, that gets everybody fired up. … I mean, it’s going to show in statistics, but not much. … I just wanted to get better at that, and three charges is not bad for one game.”
Redick said he was amazed by Doncic’s offensive exploits. Then he praised Doncic for his “awesome” play on defense.
“I think just his on-ball throughout the early stretch of games has been really good just in terms of containment,” Redick said. “He’s doing a great job talking on defense. Beyond just the steals and the charges and the rebounding.
“Fifteen defensive rebounds, just phenomenal.”
Doncic entered the game leading the NBA in scoring, averaging 36.2 points per game. In his last three games before Sunday, Doncic scored 52 against the Jazz, 41 versus the Trail Blazers and 37 against the Warriors.
So Sunday was just another “normal” game for Doncic.
“It feels like a supernova, but it also feels normal,” Redick said. “We live on a spaceship and we’re going at the speed of light at all times when he’s on the court. When he has it going, it’s like, pick your poison, cause he can just make any shot. And then you start putting two on the ball and everybody else is the beneficiary of that. He’s a terrific offensive engine.”
Injury update
Ziaire Williams missed his third consecutive game, but Redick said a scan on the forward’s ailing left foot was “clean.”
“I would describe it [as] soreness that just pops up in the morning and he’s feeling a lot better,” Redick said. “I think just being, again, cautious with the back to back.”
