Luka Doncic’s Scoring Surge and Defense Fuel Lakers’ Run

WHO:

NY Post - Walker Kessler’s work in the paint was described as essential to the Lakers’ success; coach JJ Redick had challenged Kessler before a game against the Clippers.

NY Post - Luka Doncic was identified as the NBA leader in defensive two-point field-goal percentage as the primary defender.

Silver Screen and Roll - Luka Dončić led the Los Angeles Lakers’ scoring surge; the Lakers’ supporting cast played alongside him.

Silver Screen and Roll - Walker Kessler described Dončić’s scoring run as a “wave” or “tsunami.”

Silver Screen and Roll - Lakers head coach JJ Redick discussed Dončić’s impact during the game.

Pro Football Network - LeBron James was identified as a 76ers forward credited by an analytics page with the league’s lowest opponent field-goal percentage.

WHAT:

NY Post - The Lakers ranked No. 16 in defensive rating, according to Cleaning The Glass, which filters out garbage time.

Newsweek - Luka Dončić topped the first Kia MVP Ladder, ahead of Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Fox News - The Los Angeles Lakers were 7–2, with losses to the Golden State Warriors on the road and the Portland Trail Blazers at home.

Fox News - Luka Dončić was averaging 38.5 points and eight assists per game, with five turnovers per game, while shooting nearly 50%.

Fox News - Portland was 6–1 overall and 5–0 on the road; Deni Avdija averaged 23.4 points per game, while Damian Lillard averaged 20 points in just under 30 minutes.

Fox News - Walker Kessler averaged 14.4 points on 72% shooting, 10.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.

NY Post - Before the Lakers’ game against the Kings, Doncic had held opponents to 21.9% shooting on two-point attempts when he was the primary defender, with a minimum of 30 attempts defended.

Silver Screen and Roll - The Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 116–103, earning their third consecutive win.

Silver Screen and Roll - Dončić scored at least 40 points in five of the Lakers’ six games in the described stretch; his other outing was 37 points against the Golden State Warriors.

Silver Screen and Roll - Across that stretch, Dončić averaged 42.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.8 steals, shooting 63.3% on two-pointers, 44.9% on three-pointers and 89.7% on free throws. He attempted 14.8 three-pointers per game.

Silver Screen and Roll - Dončić scored 308 points through eight games, becoming the first player since Michael Jordan, who scored 303 through his first eight games in 1988, to reach 300 points in that span, according to NBA Stats.

Silver Screen and Roll - Dončić recorded his sixth consecutive game with at least 35 points, five rebounds and five assists, surpassing Damian Lillard for the longest streak of that kind in league history.

Pro Football Network - The article said an analytics page credited LeBron James with the league’s lowest opponent field-goal percentage and reported mixed reactions from NBA fans.

WHERE:

NY Post - Redick issued his challenge to Kessler before the Lakers played the Clippers.

NY Post - The defensive statistic was reported ahead of the Lakers’ game against the Sacramento Kings.

Silver Screen and Roll - The Lakers played the Sacramento Kings; the article also referenced a game against the Golden State Warriors.

Pro Football Network - James was described as a 76ers forward.

WHY:

Fox News - Fox News described the Lakers’ matchup with Portland as a revenge game after their home loss to the Trail Blazers.

Silver Screen and Roll - Redick said Dončić’s consecutive difficult makes turned a tied game into a nine- or 10-point lead, and that the team feeds off his scoring.

HOW:

Silver Screen and Roll - The article described Dončić scoring with deep step-back three-pointers, touch shots and foul-drawing, while creating easy opportunities for teammates through passing.

Silver Screen and Roll - Kessler said, “You can call it a wave, you can call it a tsunami, you can call it whatever you want,” and added, “we’re surfing the wave a little bit when he’s making those shots.”

Luka Dončić led the Lakers past Sacramento, 116 to 103, for their third straight win. He scored 40 points, extending his remarkable streak of six consecutive 35-point games. Coach JJ Redick says teammates feed off Dončić’s scoring and difficult shots.