The Lakers have been on a season-long roller coaster, experiencing more highs than lows, but the tide seems to be turning at a crucial moment. After dropping their third consecutive game last night, L.A. is facing its toughest challenge yet.
Even without Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, the Suns managed to edge out a full-strength Lakers squad. The game ended in heartbreak for L.A., as Royce O’Neal sank a three-pointer with less than two seconds left, capping a comeback attempt where the Lakers had rallied from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
O’Neal’s clutch shot, followed by Austin Reaves’ missed buzzer-beater, sealed the Lakers' fate. Once in the mix for the 3-seed in the West, the Lakers have now slipped to sixth, precariously just a game ahead of the Suns to avoid the play-in tournament. With last night's victory, the Suns clinched the tiebreaker, adding more pressure to L.A.'s situation.
Being the NBA’s marquee team comes with its own set of challenges. When success wanes, scrutiny intensifies, and the blame game begins. Former Laker Danny Green pointed fingers at Luka Doncic, critiquing his performance on both ends of the floor.
“They were attacking Luka,” Green noted. “That was the game plan, which most teams are gonna do. Not just because he’s a terrible defender, but he’s the weaker defender of the Lakers.”
Luka has faced defensive criticism throughout his career, so Green’s comments weren’t entirely unexpected. However, Green also questioned Luka’s offensive approach.
“We love these nights from Luka, but do we say take a little off to have more ball movement?” Green pondered. “Luka had 40, let’s get 30 and see if Bron and Austin and other guys can get involved.”
Is Green’s critique justified? It seems a bit harsh.
Luka delivered an impressive 41 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. Despite the Suns targeting him defensively, they still hit 113 points, aligning with their season average.
Grayson Allen added 28 points, albeit on 9-24 shooting.
Luka posted a +9 for the game, making it difficult to pin the loss solely on him. Deandre Ayton, meanwhile, must shoulder some responsibility. The Lakers center managed only two points and four rebounds, finishing with a -24, a stark contrast to his previous bold claims.
Since acquiring Luka over a year ago, the Lakers' front office has been working to build a complementary roster. While that process is ongoing, it’s not Luka’s fault that the team isn’t quite there yet. His track record in Dallas proves he can lead a team to the Finals, putting pressure on Rob Pelinka to find the right pieces in the offseason.
For now, Luka’s offensive prowess alone might not propel the Lakers to significant success this season. While his defense remains a work in progress, there are other areas and players more deserving of scrutiny for the team's current struggles.