‘I Really Took A Step Forward’: Los Angeles Lakers Star Luka Dončić Believes He’s Playing Really Good Defense This Season
LOS ANGELES — After the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors on Sunday (11/1), Luka Dončić spoke about his impressive defensive performance.
The superstar had five steals and drew three charges against the Raptors.
“Obviously, I’m not the best defender in the NBA, but I think this year, I really took a step forward,” Dončić said. “Obviously, people are going to talk what they want to talk [about] me. … But I know, and my team knows, that I’m better this year.”
Dončić had an incredible game against the Raptors. He finished with 45 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals in 35 minutes while shooting 12-of-23 from the field, 8-of-12 from beyond the arc and a perfect 13-of-13 from the free-throw line.
The Lakers improved to 5-2 after defeating the Raptors.
Kessler: Luka Doesn’t Get Enough Credit For His Defense
Against the Raptors, Dončić became the first player to record five steals and draw three charges in a game since player tracking began in 2013-14.
His new center, Walker Kessler, was impressed.
“Five steals and three charges … incredible,” Kessler said. “You know, incredible. Luka doesn’t get enough credit for his defense.”
Dončić is universally recognized as the best scorer in the NBA. If he continues to play strong defense and the Lakers have one of the top records in the league at the end of the regular season, Dončić could easily win his first MVP award.
“This year, he came back in great shape,” Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said about Dončić. “He looks healthy. When he’s healthy and ready to go, he’s just unstoppable. Tonight, he was outstanding.”
Dončić Is Off To Great Start
In his second full season with the Lakers, Dončić is averaging 37.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. The future Hall of Famer is shooting 48.2% from the field, 43.2% from beyond the arc and 90.2% from the free-throw line.
The 27-year-old Dončić has played in six games this season. He missed one game because of a back injury. His scoring outputs this season are 28, 23, 52, 41, 37 and 45.
Dončić averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game last season. He led the NBA in points per game and total points.
A six-time All-Star, Dončić is making $49.5 million this season. He can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2028 by declining his 2028-29 player option worth $57.4 million.
