Luka Doncic isn’t hiding how the Lakers’ playoff exit sat with him. The star guard said he was “disappointed” by the loss to the Thunder, and he’s carrying that feeling into the new season.
His own injury changed everything. Doncic was trying to come back from a Grade 2 hamstring strain, but the Lakers had to keep going without him while the postseason ran on. By the time they were finally knocked out by the then-defending champions, the moment had already turned into one he still thinks about.
“My thought was just to get fully healthy,” said Doncic, via Dave McMenamin. “I had the whole summer for that, and I feel great. I thought we had a team that could compete for a championship, so it was kind of disappointing, kind of let the team down, so it’s definitely motivating for this season.”
That disappointment comes with a pretty clear backdrop. The Lakers weren’t viewed as the West’s top threat last season, but they still finished fourth at 53-29 and kept winning through injuries. Alongside the “big three,” they got important production from Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, and Luke Kennard, with JJ Redick guiding the group in his relatively early run as head coach.
They looked legitimate in the first round, beating the Rockets at full strength without Doncic and with Reaves out for part of the series. That only sharpened the question of what might have happened if Doncic had been available later on.
The Lakers went 0-4 against the Thunder in the regular season, but the idea of a healthier roster was always there. Doncic averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game on 47.6% shooting, and his presence alone might have given Los Angeles a real shot.
Instead, the Thunder took control, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander steering the series and shutting down any comeback talk.
For Doncic, the choice not to rush back last May was about the bigger picture. He went with caution rather than forcing the issue, and that decision has already helped him get to a healthier place heading into this season. The Lakers are back in the underdog spot to win the West, but Doncic is arriving with a chip on his shoulder and a clear edge to his motivation.
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