Luka Doncics sensational defense, scoring leads

Lakers coach JJ Redick and defensive ace Walker Kessler applauded Luka Doncic for his standout defensive efficiency in the Lakers’ 131-125 victory over the Toronto Raptors at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday.

And Doncic’s response to the accolades?

“Finally,” Doncic said, laughing.

Doncic had 5 steals. He took three costs. And he collected 15 defensive rebounds. Oh, and he also had 45 factors and six assists. He was 12 for 23 from the sector, eight for 12 from three-point vary and made all 13 of his free-throws.

But it was his defensive efficiency that drew the most consideration on Doncic bobblehead giveaway evening. As he sat in entrance of the media sporting a black baseball cap, Doncic was requested why he has this popularity of not being a superb defender.

“Why? I don’t know,” he responded. “Obviously, I’m not the best defender in the NBA, but I think this year I really took a step forward. Obviously, people are going to talk what they want to talk [about] me. … But I know, and my team knows, that I think I’m better this year. And that helps the whole team, I think.”

So would he moderately win the NBA’s most invaluable participant award, defensive participant of the 12 months award or both?

Doncic paused and smiled.

“Both,” he said, laughing. “You guys vote for that.”

Perhaps, it was steered to Doncic, his impressed defensive play is aimed at proving his naysayers incorrect.

“Look, people are going to talk bad no matter what,” Doncic said. “So I just try to focus on me, on my team, on what I can give to the team better. Like I said before, I think I made a huge step forward on both ends. So I just got to keep going like that.”

Doncic taking the costs impressed his coaches and teammates the most because it confirmed he was keen to give up his physique to make a stop.

“Even last season, before last season, I don’t think I had maybe five charges in seven years, or six years,” Doncic said. “So, that gets everybody fired up. … I mean, it’s going to show in statistics, but not much. … I just wanted to get better at that, and three charges is not bad for one game.”

Redick said he was amazed by Doncic’s offensive exploits. Then he praised Doncic for his “awesome” play on protection.

“I think just his on-ball throughout the early stretch of games has been really good just in terms of containment,” Redick said. “He’s doing a great job talking on defense. Beyond just the steals and the charges and the rebounding.

“Fifteen defensive rebounds, just phenomenal.”

Doncic entered the sport main the NBA in scoring, averaging 36.2 factors per sport. In his last three video games before Sunday, Doncic scored 52 against the Jazz, 41 versus the Trail Blazers and 37 against the Warriors.

So Sunday was just another “normal” sport for Doncic.

“It feels like a supernova, but it also feels normal,” Redick said. “We live on a spaceship and we’re going at the speed of light at all times when he’s on the court. When he has it going, it’s like, pick your poison, cause he can just make any shot. And then you start putting two on the ball and everybody else is the beneficiary of that. He’s a terrific offensive engine.”

Injury update

Ziaire Williams missed his third consecutive sport, but Redick said a scan on the ahead’s ailing left foot was “clean.”

“I would describe it [as] soreness that just pops up in the morning and he’s feeling a lot better,” Redick said. “I think just being, again, cautious with the back to back.”