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.
In Other News...
Thunder Young Guards Already Facing Pressure After Dort Trade
After moving Luguentz Dort to the Hawks, the Thunder turned quickly to Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell to help absorb the minutes and responsibilities he had handled on the perimeter. Both guards are still on rookie contracts, which fits Oklahoma Citys usual long-term approach, but this transition is about more than future upside. Dorts departure leaves a real vacancy in the lineup, and the Thunder are asking two young players to step into it sooner than planned.
The early returns in preseason made the challenge clear. Wallace and Mitchell did not look fully settled in their first game, and the Thunders optimism about their development comes with an equally clear message: they need help now, not just later. Oklahoma City believes both guards can grow into bigger roles, but replacing Dorts two-way presence is already looking like one of the more delicate tasks on the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Two-Way Players Just Got A Real Roster Spot Audition
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Barnhizer, in particular, has already put himself in the conversation after his earlier preseason work and the way he handled himself in limited chances. With a standard roster spot still available, this game gives the Thunder one more clean look at how he stacks up against teammates facing the same fight for attention, and it could go a long way toward shaping the final call. [Read more 🡒]
Kevin Durant Had An Emotional Reaction To Russell Westbrooks Exit
Russell Westbrooks retirement announcement landed with the kind of weight that comes with the end of a career that helped define an era in Oklahoma City. The longtime Thunder guard shared a reflective message about reaching the close of his playing days, and the response around the league quickly turned emotional, with former players and teammates taking stock of what Westbrook meant on and off the floor.
Kevin Durant was among those reacting, praising Westbrooks career while admitting the news hit him hard. Durant also said he believes Westbrook still has more basketball in him, which only added to the intrigue around what comes next beyond retirement and whether this really is the final chapter for one of the Thunders most important figures. [Read more 🡒]