Luka Doncic is putting on a show that has NBA legends like James Worthy singing his praises. After Doncic dropped a jaw-dropping 60 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter, in the Lakers’ 134-126 victory over the Miami Heat, Worthy didn’t hold back on Access SportsNet.
Worthy, who knows a thing or two about clutch performances from his time with the Lakers, said, “Historically, the Lakers have had clutch players-Kareem with the sky hook, Magic with his play, Kobe, Shaq, Fisher hitting 0.4. But I don’t think we’ve ever seen one as consistent and as dominant as Luka Doncic.
The way he controls the game with the ball in his hand. And a shot maker from anywhere.
He’s really good at drawing fouls, too.”
That’s high praise from someone who played alongside legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson. Doncic’s ability to take over games, especially in crunch time, is something special. Against the Heat, he re-entered the game with just over seven minutes left and took control, scoring 20 points to secure the win.
Doncic’s stat line was nothing short of spectacular: 60 points on 18-30 shooting, seven rebounds, three assists, and five steals. And to do this on the second night of a back-to-back? Incredible.
He’s been doing it all week, too. In the Lakers’ 124-116 win over the Houston Rockets, Doncic put up 10 points in the fourth quarter. He also nailed the game-winner in the Lakers’ 127-125 overtime triumph over the Denver Nuggets.
Doncic is shooting an impressive 47.4% from the field and 42.9% from three in clutch moments this season. His ability to score from anywhere makes him a nightmare for defenses, and if you double-team him, he’ll find the open man. It’s a classic case of pick your poison.
Thanks to Doncic, the Lakers boast a stellar 21-6 record in clutch games, while every other team has lost at least 10 such games. He’s been the driving force behind their current eight-game winning streak, pushing their season record to 45-25.
Interestingly, Worthy hasn’t always been this complimentary. He previously criticized Doncic for complaining about fouls and suggested his numbers were empty stats after a loss to the Spurs. But with this recent stretch, Doncic has silenced any doubts.
The Lakers will look to continue their hot streak against the Orlando Magic next, and with Doncic playing at this level, they’re a formidable force.