Sports · Basketball · 1 hr ago
Doncic says his defense has improved as Lakers beat Raptors
Luka Doncic says his defense has improved this season after the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors at home.
His defensive effort was praised by Lakers coach JJ Redick and center Walker Kessler, despite past criticism of Doncic’s play on that end of the court.
Doncic says he is focused on helping his team win, not on what critics say.
He missed more than half a year before this season and says he is gradually finding his rhythm.
The Lakers are 5–2 and fourth in the Western Conference, with Doncic averaging 37.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game.
The Lakers next face the Miami Heat at home on Monday, in the second game of a back-to-back.
Luka Doncic said his defense has improved this season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He made the comments after the Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors at home on Sunday.
Lakers coach JJ Redick and center Walker Kessler had praised his defensive work.
Doncic said he had been out for six or seven months and was still finding his rhythm.
The Lakers were 5–2, and Doncic was averaging 37.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game.
- Who
- Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers guard.
- What
- He said he had taken a step forward defensively this season.
- When
- After the Lakers’ home win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.
- Where
- Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
- Why
- Doncic said improved defense helps the whole team. He also said he was working to find his rhythm after a long layoff.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Doncic sat out for more than half a year.
The Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors at home, and Doncic was asked about his defense.
The Lakers were scheduled to play the Miami Heat at home in the second game of a back-to-back.
- Lakers record
- 5–2
- Doncic scoring average
- 37.7 points per game
- Doncic rebounds average
- 8.2 per game
- Doncic assists average
- 7.3 per game
- Next scheduled opponent
- Miami Heat
3 sources
What people are saying
But I think this year I’ve really took a step forward.
People going to talk what they want to talk. Media is going to talk what they want to talk. But I know, and my team knows, that I think I’m better this year and that helps the whole team, I think
I didn’t play for six, seven months