No LeBron? No problem. The Lakers had Luka Doncic—and Austin Reaves to steady the ship. But it was the Slovenian magician who rewrote the script. Denver has never been an easy rival, yet Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena felt different. In his No. 77 jersey, Doncic strolled in and made history. He made it look smooth. He made it look effortless.
Luka Doncic exploded in the first quarter with 21 points, marking his 200th career game with at least 30. But despite his brilliance, the Lakers, missing LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, found a way. Austin Reaves stepped up with 22 points, fueling a hard-fought victory. But, amidst the glitz and glam, and a nearly confirmed seat in the playoffs, the Lakers have certain troubles that they need to sort out.
Luka Doncic gets candid about LA’s troubles amidst playoff ambitions
Meanwhile, the good news is, the 26-year-old Slovenian is fitting in with his new team and teammates. After the game, the ESPN reporter asked Luka if he felt he had reached the point where he could say, “Alright, this is my squad, this is where I’m at, I can be me.” To this, Doncic replied: “Like I always say, every day gets better. That’s three wins in a row now so we’ve got to just keep it going.” That’s the kind of motivation that winning gives to a team. Besides, many questioned whether he would settle in with the Lakers after his trade from Dallas. Look!
However, there is something slightly concerning about the Lakers squad. Building proper chemistry has felt like a real struggle for the team. Well, you cannot truly blame the players who aren’t getting any practice time, but playing six games in eight days! Thus when asked: “What is that process like, particularly with him (LeBron James) hurt now, as you guys just try to figure out exactly what it’s going to look like?”
Luka Doncic responded: “We basically have no practice. I mean, we don’t have time to practice. We play six games in eight days, so it’s impossible to practice. Obviously, it’s tough because in practice, you get chemistry, you get everything. It’s on us to figure that out.”
Mar 17, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) react against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Slovenian Sensation highlighted the grueling NBA schedule and how it leaves little room for practice. With a tight schedule, the team barely has time to train together, making it harder to build chemistry and refine their plays. He acknowledged that practice is crucial for teamwork and cohesion, but given the circumstances, it’s up to the players to adapt and find ways to connect on the court during games.
Most importantly, the playoffs are within reach, but Luka Doncic knows the battle isn’t over. Wins don’t build chemistry, and without practice, the Lakers must adapt on the fly. Time is slipping away, and every game feels like a test of their true potential.
What is the playoff plan looking like for the Lakers?
Going all the up to the 3rd spot in the West after winning 120-108 vs. the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, the Lakers have an assured shot at the playoffs. However, treading through the fierce battleground is a bigger task for LA now. Especially in the Western Conference where the competition keeps skyrocketing with every game, how will JJ Redick & Co. manage their way through?
“With so many teams closely bunched together, we all know you’re going to be part of the playoffs. Is that anything you guys pay attention to and focus on at all, where you sit in the West?” the ESPN reporter asked Luka Doncic. The 26YO, as candid as ever replied: “I don’t think so. We go game by game. It’s important we go game by game because if you think in the future, you may forget about the next game. It’s important to go game by game. We know it’s tight, very tight, so we got to try to win every game.”
Mar 10, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) high fives head coach JJ Redick during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Doncic stays focused and refuses to let the chaos consume him. The West is a warzone, but he won’t let the future steal his focus. Every game is a battle, every win is a lifeline. With the playoffs looming, there’s no room for doubt—only fight. So, one game at a time, one move at a time, and one strategy at a time is the only mantra for the third seed of the Western Conference.
The road ahead is brutal, but Luka Doncic? Oh, he isn’t blinking. The LA Lakers have their shot, but survival demands more than talent—it demands grit. Every game is a fight and every win is a statement. The playoffs aren’t just a goal; the Lakers must fight to win them. And the Purple and Gold know how to do it.
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