Wizards Show Fight, But Luka Doncic and the Lakers Deliver a Reality Check
Friday night in D.C. wasn’t just about the scoreboard - though the 142-111 loss to the Lakers was hard to ignore. It was also a reminder of the gap that still exists between a rebuilding team and a title contender. And Luka Doncic made sure that message came through loud and clear.
Doncic, now in his prime at 26, put on a clinic in just 31 minutes: 37 points on 13-of-21 shooting, 11 rebounds, 13 assists, and three steals. That’s not just stat-padding - that’s surgical basketball.
And while the triple-double was eye-popping, it was his efficiency and control of the game that really stood out. He even dropped a rare 25-point triple-double in the first half - something only he’s done in the play-by-play era, and he’s now done it twice.
That’s the kind of dominance Washington is still searching for.
After the game, Doncic was asked what advice he’d give to young players trying to make it in the league. His response was classic Luka - humble, but grounded in truth.
“I’m not a good advice guy… But obviously you have to work very hard to get here. It’s not gonna be easy, a lot of people are going to stay in your way. But if you want this, you gotta enjoy it and focus really hard.”
That’s a message the Wizards would do well to take to heart.
Luka Doncic’s advice for young NBA players postgame:
— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) January 31, 2026
“I’m not a good advice guy…But obviously you have to work very hard to get here. It’s not gonna be easy, alot of people are going to stay in your way. But if you want this, you gotta enjoy it and focus really hard.” pic.twitter.com/SOvsFOiq8P
A Team Still Finding Its Way
To be fair, this Wizards squad isn’t lacking effort. They’ve been grinding. Before Friday’s blowout, they had won two straight and played six consecutive games decided by 10 points or fewer - a far cry from the 1-15 start that had fans bracing for another lost season.
They’re also sending three players to the Rising Stars Challenge for the second year in a row, a sign that the young core is earning league-wide respect. But the Lakers loss served as a gut check. As much as the Wizards have improved, they’re still miles away from contending with teams that have a true superstar - and the Lakers have one in Doncic.
Darryn Peterson was HOOPIN’ in the first half vs. No. 13 BYU 😦
— ESPN (@espn) January 31, 2026
🔥 18 PTS
🔥 6-7 FG
🔥 3 STL pic.twitter.com/nQ3GvkHFpP
Los Angeles, sitting sixth in the West at 29-18, looks reloaded after last season’s early playoff exit. The addition of Doncic has shifted the ceiling of this team, and with the Nuggets just three games ahead in the standings, the Lakers are very much in the hunt for home-court advantage. That’s what a First-Team All-NBA talent can do.
Washington? They’re still searching for that kind of player.
Eyes on the Future
The Wizards made a splash in January by trading for Trae Young, a former All-NBA Third-Team guard. At 27, Young brings star power and offensive firepower the team desperately needed. But with a $49 million player option looming, his long-term future in D.C. isn’t a sure thing.
I asked Alex Sarr the effect that Jamir Watkins’ defense is having on the Wizards:
— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) January 30, 2026
“Jamir is a pest on defense. He gets alot of steals, he’s physical with guys, so it’s uncomfotable to go against him. It helps us have energy defensively.” pic.twitter.com/zSwCeTZSVT
That’s why the 2026 NBA Draft looms large.
This year’s class features three potential franchise-changers: Darryn Peterson (Kansas), Cameron Boozer (Duke), and AJ Dybantsa (BYU). All three have the tools to become All-NBA players - the kind of cornerstone talent Washington has lacked since the John Wall era.
On Saturday, Peterson and Dybantsa went head-to-head in Lawrence, Kansas, with Wizards scouts in the building. Peterson, limited to 20 minutes due to cramping, still dropped 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-5 from deep.
He added three rebounds, three assists, and a steal in Kansas’ 90-82 win. Dybantsa countered with 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting, plus a rebound and an assist in 34 minutes.
Peterson’s health has been a concern - he’s played in just 11 of 21 games and logged 30+ minutes only four times - but when he’s on the floor, he looks like a future star. And on Saturday, he had that same “best player on the court” energy Doncic displayed the night before.
That’s the type of presence Washington needs. Someone who can tilt the floor and take over games. Trae Young brings some of that, but if the Wizards can land a top-three pick in May’s lottery, they might finally get their long-term answer.
Of course, the lottery is just that - a gamble. Even the league’s worst team is only guaranteed a top-five pick.
If Washington falls outside the top three, they could still walk away with a high-upside prospect like UNC’s Caleb Wilson or Houston’s Kingston Flemings. But to truly change the trajectory of the franchise, they’ll likely need a player with All-NBA potential and another high-level veteran to round out the roster.
Honoring the Past, Building the Future
Thursday night was a nostalgic one at Capital One Arena, as the team honored John Wall with a celebration fitting for the franchise’s most iconic player of the 21st century. Fans received bobbleheads, watched highlight reels, and heard Wall deliver an emotional halftime speech.
“I never thought this was possible… This is my city, this is still my house. I love y'all, and thank y'all for tonight.”
Wall’s legacy looms large - and rightfully so. The Wizards haven’t had a winning season since he played 41 games in 2017-18. Until someone else takes the mantle, this is still his house.
But the Wizards are trying to build something new. And lately, there have been signs of life.
Defense, Identity, and the Little Things
Washington’s recent win over the Bucks - a 109-99 effort - was a glimpse of what this team can be when it locks in defensively. Yes, Milwaukee was without Giannis Antetokounmpo, but holding the Bucks to just 26% from deep on 38 attempts is no small feat. That kind of defensive commitment is what separates playoff teams from lottery regulars.
And it wasn’t a one-off. Earlier in the week, the Wizards held the Trail Blazers to 39% shooting in a 115-111 win.
Rookie Jamir Watkins closed that game out with some clutch defense, and he’s quickly becoming a name to watch. In January, Watkins averaged 1.6 steals per game and brought the kind of energy that’s contagious.
His teammate, Sarr, summed it up well:
“Jamir is a pest on defense. He gets a lot of steals, he’s physical with guys, so it’s uncomfortable to bring the ball up against him. It helps us have energy defensively.”
That’s the kind of player who helps you win in the margins. And when you’re a team like the Wizards - still in the early stages of a rebuild - those margins matter.
The Road Ahead
There’s no sugarcoating it: Washington is still a long way from contending. But there’s a foundation forming - a young core playing hard, a front office aggressively pursuing talent, and a fanbase that showed up in force to honor a franchise legend.
Now, it’s about taking that next step. Whether it comes through the draft, free agency, or a blockbuster trade, the Wizards need their Luka - a player who can shift the culture and carry the load.
Until then, they’ll keep grinding. And if they keep defending like they did against Milwaukee, keep developing players like Watkins, and land the right star to lead the charge, they might just turn this rebuild into something real.