Sports · Basketball · 1 hr ago
Doncic praises Mamukelashvili’s playmaking as Lakers near season start
Luka Doncic praised Los Angeles Lakers teammate Sandro Mamukelashvili after a team practice.
Mamukelashvili, a Georgian forward-center, impressed Doncic with his ball-handling, court vision and passing.
The Lakers are finishing their preseason games, with matchups against the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets ahead.
Doncic and Mamukelashvili have both put up strong numbers during the exhibition stretch.
Their combination adds to the Lakers’ growing European connection.
The Lakers are due to open the 2026–27 regular season against Golden State next Wednesday.
Luka Doncic praised Sandro Mamukelashvili’s ball-handling, court vision and passing after a Los Angeles Lakers practice.
Doncic said Mamukelashvili’s passing ability was underrated and was what most impressed him.
The Lakers are nearing the end of their 2026 preseason schedule before opening the 2026–27 regular season against the Golden State Warriors.
Doncic is averaging 22.0 points, 3.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds per preseason game.
Mamukelashvili is averaging 14.0 points, 3.7 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game.
- Who
- Luka Doncic praised Lakers teammate Sandro Mamukelashvili.
- What
- Doncic highlighted Mamukelashvili’s ball-handling, court vision and passing.
- When
- After a Lakers practice on Saturday. The article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Los Angeles Lakers practice; the location is not stated.
- Why
- Doncic was asked about Mamukelashvili and described the skills that impressed him.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I knew what kind of player he was. Obviously played against him, but I think just his ability to handle the ball and to see the court, some of his passes, I think is very underrated
That’s the thing that most impressed me.
Doncic praised Mamukelashvili after Lakers team practice.
The Lakers are scheduled to face the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Lakers are scheduled to host the Denver Nuggets.
The Lakers are scheduled to open the 2026–27 regular season against Golden State at crypto.com Arena.
- Doncic preseason average
- 22.0 points, 3.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game
- Mamukelashvili preseason average
- 14.0 points, 3.7 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game
- Upcoming preseason game
- Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
- Regular-season opener
- Golden State Warriors at crypto.com Arena
- Publication date
- October 12, 2026
Sources
Related news
Towns says Knicks’ pause on extension talks caught him off guard
Kings center Maxime Raynaud has right knee injury, will be checked in two weeks
Jokic records a triple-double as Nuggets beat Bulls in preseason
Warriors and Brandin Podziemski agree to five-year, $110 million extension
NBA may introduce sensor-equipped basketballs in official games next season
Mario Hezonja returns to the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers
Jokic leads Nuggets to preseason comeback win over Bulls
Cavaliers beat Magic 119-105 in preseason game
Knicks pause extension talks with Towns, Hart and two other players
Kings center Maxime Raynaud injures right knee in preseason game
Sixers face center shortage as NBA extension talks develop
