The Los Angeles Lakers have officially moved on from one of the most shocking periods in NBA history. Mere weeks after swapping Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic, Los Angeles encountered the team they completed the controversial trade with, the Dallas Mavericks, on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Over the course of the game, Doncic revealed exactly what the Lakers can expect from him as he transitions to becoming the face of their franchise.
Los Angeles continued to string together wins at a league-leading level, improving to 35-21 overall and 15-4 since Jan. 15. The latter is the best record in the NBA during that time, with the Lakers also ranking No. 3 in net rating.
That record has been compiled both with and without Davis, showing an impressive level of adaptability from the roster and coaching staff.
The big question, however, was how this specifically constructed roster would fare with Doncic instead of Davis. That says nothing about their respective talent, but instead the simple fact that they play different positions and embrace styles that lack any stable ground for comparison.
Thankfully, during the Lakers' 107-99 win over the Mavericks, Doncic firmly established what his new team can expect of him—even on a poor shooting night.
Luka Doncic still dominates when his shot isn't falling—a unique strength
Doncic stuffed the stat sheet, posting the first triple-double of his Lakers career with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, as well as three steals and two blocks. He shot just 6-of-17 from the field and 1-of-7 from beyond the arc, however, which had some slanting toward the negative.
What Doncic managed against the Mavericks, however, was a showing that proved how he can simplify the game for everyone around him.
Even when his shot wasn't falling, Doncic managed to impact the game in profound ways. On a night when seven different games were played, he led all NBA players in rebounds and assists, and did so without committing many unforced errors.
Doncic's 12 assists were recorded with just two turnovers committed, which is a testament to how quickly he realized the importance of malleability.
Doncic's shot went cold, and rather than forcing the issue, he took care of the ball and created for others. More importantly, he played hard on defense and continued what's been the best defensive season of his NBA career.
Doncic has now recorded seven steals and three blocks over the past two games, which only scratches the surface of the player he's quietly become.
Opponents are shooting 1.7 percent worse from the field when Doncic is the primary defender in 2024-25. It's a direct result of his commitment to becoming more than he's been, which is already a five-time All-NBA First Team honoree.
The hope is that Doncic will return to the level that saw him win the scoring title in 2023-24, but the promising sign is that he's capable of dominating a game even when his shot isn't falling.