Luka Doncic acknowledged the struggles in Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday’s 121-92 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, calling it “probably one of the worst” games of the season. He credited the Thunder’s defensive pressure, particularly from Cason Wallace, for disrupting the Lakers’ rhythm.
“I think we need to be more ready. Obviously, it starts with me. I need to be way better than that,” Doncic said, emphasizing his role in setting the tone for the team. He also highlighted the importance of energy and physicality in upcoming games.
The Lakers fell behind early, with Oklahoma City opening a 30-18 lead in the first quarter and extending it to 70-38 by halftime. Despite the blowout, Doncic focused on what the team can correct moving forward. “Two things: physical and energy. We’ve got to start the game better,” he noted.
Doncic stressed the importance of consistency and physicality for the rest of the season. “When we start physical, any games, we do a pretty good job on playing the 48 minutes. When we start sloppy, it’s not our game,” he explained. He identified these adjustments as critical for facing the New Orleans Pelicans in Friday’s matchup.
When asked about the Thunder’s dominance, Doncic framed it as motivation rather than concern. “They were the champions for a reason and it’s a big motivation to see how they play and try to stop them,” he said, highlighting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s impact in the game.
Doncic also reflected on his connection to the Dallas Mavericks after the team fired Nico Harrison. “The City of Dallas, the fans, players, they always have a special place in my heart… but right now I’m focused on the Lakers,” he said. On the possibility of returning to Dallas in the future, he added, “Right now I’m just focused on the Lakers, man. There’s no further comments.”
