Luka Doncic reflected on his performance as the Lakers dominated the Washington Wizards 142-111 on Friday night. “Playing basketball, just playing my game, whatever the defense gives me, trying to get back into the rhythm,” he said about his early scoring and playmaking.
Doncic emphasized the role of reading the defense in creating opportunities. “It’s all a bit like chess to me, just trying to read the defense. Sometimes they were in a blitz start of game, then they switch to fire. So just trying to read the defense, share the ball, and we did great job today,” he explained.
He highlighted the impact of his screen-roll chemistry with Deandre Ayton. “Some bit in screen roll getting Ayton at the rim and then stepping back for your jumpers,” he said, describing how offensive spacing opened up scoring chances.
Doncic also acknowledged the value of giving bench players time in the final quarter. “It’s always good when they get a chance to play. Everybody plays hard. Obviously it’s the end of the game but those guys play hard too,” he said, referencing Maxi Kleber and Bronny James’ highlight plays.
On a lighthearted note, he addressed an unintentional bank shot that drew attention. “Of course it wasn’t,” he said when asked if it was deliberate, joking about JJ Redick’s comment that he might get bored when scoring comes easily.
Doncic finished with 37 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds, becoming the first player with a first-half triple-double since Jalen Johnson on December 5. His dominant start helped Los Angeles take a 77-48 halftime lead.
The Lakers shot 61% from the field and received 28 points and 13 rebounds from Deandre Ayton, while LeBron James added 20 points, including a one-handed alley-oop in the first half at age 41. Bronny James made his fourth-quarter debut, finishing with a breakaway dunk.
Washington was led by Malaki Branham with 17 points but struggled from three, connecting on just 16-of-48 attempts. Alex Sarr and Bub Carrington added 16 and 15 points, respectively, but the Wizards could not match the Lakers’ scoring efficiency.
Los Angeles improved to 29-18 and remains fifth in the Western Conference, while Washington fell to 12-35. The Lakers will travel to New York on Sunday, carrying momentum from a dominant night fueled by Doncic’s leadership and court vision.
