The Los Angeles Lakers are tenth in defensive rating since the All-Star break, and Luka Doncic is leading the charge. The 27-year-old superstar has locked in on both ends of the floor and has LA looking like a serious title threat after everyone wrote them off. Luka is getting back on defense, staying in front of his man, swiping two steals per game, and has every team fearful of playing the Lakers.
Doncic missed the final four games before the break with a hamstring injury, and he’s looked like a different player since. The six-time All-Star got some much-needed rest. Over the first 17 contests after the break, Doncic is averaging 35 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists every night, while making over 41 percent of his 3-point attempts.
Fans know number 77 is going to be an elite offensive creator. He gives the purple and gold something they haven’t had since Kobe, but defense has always been a knock on Luka. The Lakers have won nine straight by playing elite defense. Doncic is leading the charge, but he still isn’t getting credit for the improvement.
Lakers are playing elite defense thanks to Luka Doncic
Los Angeles keeps improving on the defensive end. They are tenth in defensive rating since the All-Star break, and eighth since Feb. 28. The Lakers have won 12 of their last 13 since the final day of February. That has been further spurred on by a nine-game win streak where they held the Knicks and Rockets under 100 points.
Luka is playing like the MVP down the stretch, and he is doing exactly what he did in his final season with the Mavericks. Dallas got hot down the stretch and rode that momentum to the 2024 NBA Finals. It started with the team locking in on defense and making jumpers. Just like the Lakers are doing right now.
The Lakers have been better on both ends of the floor with Doncic this season. His size, basketball IQ, and fast hands make him a better defender than he ever gets credit for. When Luka locks in, he is a plus option, especially when the team plays schemes to help him succeed.
Teams can hunt Doncic if they wish. The Lakers will switch screens and keep him down low, where his size is impactful. Fans know number 77 will clean the glass and throw ahead for a transition chance.
Credit to head coach JJ Redick for finding defenses that work. He got Luka drawing charges and locked in on defense. The Lakers don’t have elite defensive talent, but everyone is connected. That starts with Doncic, and the result is the purple and gold looking like a serious title threat.
Luka Doncic should get more credit for the Los Angeles Lakers' transformation into serious title contenders. Everyone believes they can make a run because the defense has drastically improved.
The six-time All-Star is LA’s alpha. The Lakers are following his lead on both ends of the floor and reaching new heights. Don’t look now, but they might just win it all. Nobody thought that was possible. Luckily, that is the advantage of having a fully locked-in Luka leading the way.