The Los Angeles Lakers dominated the rival Golden State Warriors on Saturday night behind an impressive shooting performance. Luka Doncic needs those shooters to open the lane, and they ran the Warriors out of the gym by making 19 3-pointers. They were shooting over 50 percent from long range before garbage time. The Lakers have two gigantic holes to fill to become a serious title threat. When LA is hitting jumpers, they look virtually unstoppable.
The purple and gold snapped a three-game losing streak in the Bay Area. Luka had 26 points, eight assists, six rebounds, one steal, and one block in 26 minutes of action on his 27th birthday. He was not even needed in the final period. It was an impressive night for Doncic, but the game never felt in doubt because of the shot-making around him.
Number 77 led the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals with shooting and defense around him. The Lakers desperately need a center upgrade, but that has to be coupled with improved shooting. They struggle to make jumpers right now. Doncic is the toughest piece to acquire when building a title contender. Now, LA just needs the pieces around him.
Lakers' need for shooting around Luka Doncic on full display against the Warriors
Golden State was shorthanded in the ABC primetime showdown, and the Lakers instantly made them look like they didn’t belong. Fans know Luka is one of the best shot creators and inside scorers in the NBA. He needs some space to carve up any defense.
The Lakers sit 23rd in 3-pointers made per game and 20th in 3-point percentage. They couldn’t buy a jumper during their three-game skid. Fans saw exactly what the outside shooting can do for the purple and gold.
When the Lakers are shooting like this? Any team in the NBA would be cooked. pic.twitter.com/67WfDWEpoi
— Brendan Abban (@BrendanAbban) March 1, 2026
Fans are quick to forget how special Luka is. Even NBA analysts fail to credit him for leading Dallas to the finals with a middling supporting cast. He makes his teammates better and is one of the three best players in the world. The discussion around him doesn’t matter. Luka can be the alpha on a title team.
If the Lakers were an elite shooting team, they would be title contenders. Their defense must improve with the shooting. They have cap space this summer, and desperately need some 3-and-D options that Luka can maximize their impact.
The Warriors had no answer because the Lakers were making shots. Golden State didn’t have Stephen Curry or Jimmy Butler, but it wouldn’t have mattered. If the purple and gold shoot 50 percent from 3-point range, they are virtually unstoppable.
The Los Angeles Lakers must add shooting and defense around Luka Doncic to be a serious title contender. Fans are loving the Luke Kennard addition and are hoping it shows Rob Pelinka what the team needs in the offseason.
The plan is to build a title winner around number 77. The pressure is on the front office to add the right pieces and make it happen. The Warriors game gave them a blueprint. Hopefully, Rob Pelinka follows it this summer.