Historic defensive performance
Luka Doncic put on a massive performance on Sunday night as the Los Angeles Lakers secured a 131-125 victory against the Toronto Raptors. The 27 year old guard poured in 45 points to lead his team on offense. It was his third performance with at least 40 points in his last four games. Doncic currently leads the NBA in scoring with an average of 37.7 points per game.
Beyond his scoring, Doncic delivered an unprecedented effort on the defensive end. He finished with five steals and drew three charges, forcing eight Toronto turnovers. He also grabbed a season high 15 rebounds, all on the defensive glass. No NBA player had recorded five steals and three charges in the same game since player tracking began in the 2013 to 2014 season.
Praise from coaches and teammates
Lakers center Walker Kessler expressed amazement at his teammate after the match. Kessler, who arrived in the offseason to strengthen an LA defense that ranked 20th in the league in 2025-26, noted that Doncic does not get enough credit for his work on defense.
Lakers coach JJ Redick pointed to the charges drawn against Toronto players RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes as strong signs of leadership. Redick stated that putting your body on the line shows a clear desire to win. Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic also praised Doncic, saying he came back this year in great shape and healthy, making him almost impossible to stop.
Doncic responds to critics
Doncic admitted after the game that he has worked hard to improve his defensive contribution. He acknowledged that he took very few charges during his six and a half seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. However, he has made a conscious effort to adopt the tactic since joining the Lakers, noting that taking charges gets the entire team excited.
When told about the praise from his coach and teammate, Doncic smiled and replied that it was about time. He acknowledged that while he might not be the top defender in the league, both he and his teammates know he has made big strides this season.
Impact on both ends of the floor
Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 11 points off the bench against his former team in the contest. He highlighted the pride and hunger Doncic plays with, saying the star guard wants to remove the idea that opponents can easily target him on defense.
Mamukelashvili also praised Doncic for his offensive abilities. He noted that opposing teams need three players just to slow him down, adding that Doncic seems capable of scoring over 35 points every single night.
Read next
- Football predictions today
- Jackpot predictions this week
- NBA and every other league
- NBA official website
Good to know: We are not paid for any link on this page.
Be the first to comment
Tell us who you think wins and why. Keep it friendly. Links are removed on their own.
Note: comments are the writer own opinion, not ours, and never a tip from us.
18+Read this before you bet
- There are no sure bets. Every tip on this page is a chance worked out from data about the next game. A tip at 70 percent still loses about three times in ten. Anyone selling a sure bet or a fixed match is lying.
- Betting is not income. Never bet to pay rent, school fees or a loan, and never borrow to bet, including from mobile loan apps.
- 18 and over only. Betting under 18 is illegal in Kenya.
- Use licensed bookmakers. Only bet with operators licensed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya. Prices here can change before you bet, so check them first.
- Gambling can be addictive. If it stops being fun, stop. Read our responsible betting page or visit Responsible Gaming Federation of Kenya.
Good to know: We are not a bookmaker and we do not take bets. Full details are in our disclaimer.
