EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Luka Doncic has settled into life with the Los Angeles Lakers, immersing himself in the team for the past two and a half months. He’s enthralling fans and teammates alike with his dazzling assists, prolific scoring, and fiery passion on the court.
As the playoffs loom this weekend, the Lakers eagerly anticipate witnessing yet another facet of their Slovenian prodigy.
“I thrive in big games,” Doncic remarked on Thursday with characteristic humility. “The playoffs are thrilling. Everyone gives their all. It’s simply exhilarating to be in that atmosphere.”
A dominant force in the playoffs of his era, Doncic is coming off an extraordinary performance where he led the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals last year, despite battling injuries to his right knee, left ankle, and chest.
This year, Doncic enters the playoffs healthier, bolstered by the addition of LeBron James as the Lakers prepare to take on the advancing Minnesota Timberwolves in their opening match on Saturday night.
Though the Lakers face a challenging start with a team still shaping its identity around this new player, Doncic promises to deliver something exceptional.
“Oh man, the excitement is palpable,” enthused Dorian Finney-Smith, a Lakers swingman and Doncic’s former teammate from his Dallas days. “He’ll bring everything he’s got. He lives for these moments. He might need a bit of reeling in because he’ll be so animated, but it’s going to be thrilling.”
Doncic squared off against Minnesota in a playoff clash last year, showcasing one of the best performances of his career. Leading the Mavericks past the Timberwolves in a five-game Western Conference finals, Doncic averaged 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 2.2 steals, notching up 23 three-pointers.
Furthermore, during the entire 2024 playoffs, Doncic excelled, leading the NBA in points, rebounds, and assists. Yet, his 28.9 points per game was modest compared to his previous postseason endeavors.
Could he replicate such a display in his inaugural playoff journey with the storied 17-time NBA champion Lakers? While Doncic refrains from making grand promises, he is healthy and eager, having savored a full-week break after the Lakers secured the No. 3 seed with their victory over Houston last Friday.
“Our aim is a championship,” Doncic declared. “We’ve got a phenomenal team. Everyone is ready for the challenge. We’re united. There’s great chemistry, and I truly believe we have a significant chance.”
Doncic’s teammates in Los Angeles offer more substantial support than he had in Dallas last season, where Kyrie Irving was the solo headliner. Now, alongside the historic scoring record holder, the Lakers feature a reliable third option in Austin Reaves and a robust ensemble of role players, clocking a 19-12 record since Doncic’s arrival.
Doncic’s stats with the Lakers stand at 28.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists across 28 games — 21 of them with both James and Reaves by his side. Though it’s a limited timeframe to build a championship-winning synergy, both Doncic and James possess a wealth of playoff leadership experience.
Doncic’s flair and charisma transcend the court, as he is always engaging, both during and after games.
“With a smile on his face, he talks a lot of trash from the bench or with fans who heckle him, and it’s quite the sight,” said Finney-Smith. “He infuses an infectious energy into the game. His passes are jaw-dropping. In that last game against Houston, I cut thinking he wouldn’t see me, but he did and made the pass. He then quipped, ‘What, you thought I didn’t notice?’”