Luka Doncic admitted he and LeBron James need to take responsibility for turning the Los Angeles Lakers’ season around following their recent slump.
The Lakers suffered their seventh defeat in the last 10 games last night, 118-106 to the Orlando Magic, meaning their hopes of clinching a top six seed in the Western Conference remain in question.
Doncic only joined the Lakers last month but his status as a five-time NBA All-Star means he knows the burden is on him and James to provide a spark.
“I think me and Bron, think we should be the guys to do that,” Doncic said. “That’s on me. Obviously, I’ve got to do better, I’ve got to talk more. I talked in the first half, then just kind of [let my] voice down and I shouldn’t do that.
“You know, we’re physical. We play a hell of a defense. And I think we just got a little bit satisfied so we can’t afford that right now.”
Luka Dončić: "I think we just got to look back at the way we played at that 8-game winning streak… I think we just got a little bit satisfied, we can't afford that right now." #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/YrorMZIQtE
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 25, 2025
Doncic and James combine for 56 points in setback
Doncic scored 32 points against Orlando with James contributing 24.
The Lakers’ recent downturn in form is a frustration for coach JJ Redick, whose side were second in the standings following an eight-game winning streak.
“We can get back there,” Redick said. “We look tired. I don’t know what contributes to that. We weren’t able to sustain our level of intensity that we started the game out with.
“We’ve got to get back into the flow and the rhythm. It’s not just [the returning players] getting back into the flow, but it’s the group and how the group functions.”
