Luka Dončić’s performance on Thursday night was far from what the Los Angeles Lakers fell to Golden State Warriors 123-116 “Luka Magic” fans expected in a crucial Western Conference showdown. Dončić struggled with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists throughout the game, shooting 6-6 with only 17 points on the field, while only 6-6 out of 6 outside of ARC. His poor shooting is particularly noteworthy as he grabbed at least one 3-pointer and dating back nearly two years.
“I think the Warriors played a good defense, but we didn’t get enough trust,” Dončić admitted after the game. “My performance is unacceptable. When I play like this, it makes it harder for the team to win.” Despite his offensive struggle, Dončić made seven free throws and tried to contribute in other ways, but his poor shooting left the Lakers behind.
The Lakers have been working hard to maintain their position as the top four in the Western Conference, beating in the first half, hitting just 35.7%, and trailing 13 points at the end of the half. LeBron James (33 points) and Austin Reaves (31 points) kept the Lakers competitive in the second half, but they couldn’t make a comeback. Lakers coach JJ Redick said: “We just didn’t execute the way we should have.
Despite the losses, Tang Qin’s struggles are still a trend for the Lakers, especially the playoffs are coming. His recent shooting plague (especially from the 3-point range, which he has only walked 3-22 in the last three games) has raised questions about his consistency. “It’s always frustrating when you can’t help your team,” Dončić said. “But it’s not always about scoring. You can help in other ways.”
With six games left in the regular season, the Lakers (46-30) are in Game 4 in the West, but face a challenged schedule, including games against playoff teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks. In order for the Lakers to get a stable playoff spot, they will need to perform well from the star guards.
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