Doncic Takes Heat For The Lakers’ Defeat

Monday night saw the Phoenix Suns comprehensively dismantle the Los Angeles Lakers with ease. Those in the famous purple and gold suffered a defeat of 125-108 and ended a seven-game win streak.

This result comes off the back of an impressive few weeks for the Laker’s which has seen them rank 2nd in the Western Conference. But it does come as a warning sign for the team. They have a demanding calendar that involves some hard road trips to the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics upcoming.

For many fans, pundits, and gamblers, this result came as quite a surprise. Even those using anonymous betting sites for rapid transactions without the need for KYC regulations would have struggled to get winning bets on throughout this game due to its unpredictable nature. 

Following the game against the Phoenix Suns, Laker’s star guard, Luka Doncic, bore the responsibility for the loss following a career high of turnovers, which resulted in the Suns gaining their decisive lead. The difference across the teams in the game was stark, with Phoenix amassing 22 takeaways that resulted in 32 points.

The Lakers struggled to control the ball for the majority of the game, and they continued to crumble under this pressure. Doncic took this defeat personally and did not shy away from assuming responsibility post-match.

The Slovenian seemed to suffer the most during the game, and despite his strong scoring throughout the game, netting 38 points and 11 rebounds, he suffered from 9 live-ball turnovers, which is a career high in a single game this season. Only Stephen Castle of the San Antonio Spurs has amounted more this season (10).

The Lakers’ star guard stated after the game that “that was my fault”. He went on to say, “No way I can have nine turnovers” but emphasized he was left confused by Phoenix’s unusual defensive style that allowed him to score but hindered his ability to create for teammates and stunted his overall game.

Despite Doncic’s assumption of responsibility, it was clear he was not the only Laker to struggle. Austin Reaves also handed five turnovers to Phoenix and described after the game that the team failed to match the intensity of their opponents. He stated that the team as a whole seemed to lack urgency everywhere on the court, and that the team “didn’t play hard enough”.

It was not just the poor performance of the Lakers that shone through in this game; the Phoenix Suns thrived in of themselves. Even without their talisman, Devin Booker, who had to exit the game early due to injury, the rest of the team combined impressively, shooting 43% from three and 57% from the field. Reflecting an evening of impressive offense versus an agitated and uncomfortable defense.

Momentum played the biggest role on the night with the Lakers suffering 28-2 in fast break points at the hands of Phoenix, with almost every turnover resulting in Phoenix buckets and Lakers anguish.

Perhaps the only silver lining of a dreary night for the Lakers is Doncic’s admirable accountability. For such a young player with superstar status, he openly and honestly admitted his wrongdoings. This clearly shows the mentality of the players and encapsulates a locker room that is focused on fixing these mistakes through acknowledgement.

This result may be just the wake-up call that this star-studded Lakers team needs. To make it in the NBA, it takes more than just talent alone. Effort, precision, and gumption are required at all times; without these fundamentals, even the best teams can fall foul of upsets.