Luka Doncic scored 45 points Sunday in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 131-125 win over the Toronto Raptors, the third 40-plus-point effort in the past four games for the NBA’s leading scorer (37.7 PPG). His defense, however, drew the postgame praise.
Doncic recorded eight turnovers, five steals and three charges drawn. He became the first player to post those defensive marks in the same game since player tracking began in 2013-14, according to research data. He also grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds, all on the defensive end.
Doncic Points to Growth on Defense
“Obviously, I’m not the best defender in the NBA, but I think this year, I really took a step forward,” Doncic said. “Obviously, people are going to talk what they want to talk [about] me. … But I know, and my team knows, that I’m better this year.”
Lakers center Walker Kessler, whom the Lakers acquired in a trade during the offseason to bolster a defense that finished 20th in the league in 2025-26, marveled at the performance.
“Five steals and three charges … incredible,” Kessler said. “You know, incredible. Luka doesn’t get enough credit for his defense.”
Redick and Rajakovic Weigh In
Lakers coach JJ Redick credited the charges Doncic drew, two against Toronto’s RJ Barrett and one against Scottie Barnes, as examples of the 27-year-old guard’s leadership.
“I think taking a charge in general is just a form of leadership, right? You’re putting your body on the line for the team,” Redick said. “… He’s trying to win. You see the competitiveness come out so many times on the offensive end, but he’s competitive on the defensive end, too.”
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic echoed the praise.
“This year he came back in great shape,” he said. “He looks healthy. When he’s healthy and ready to go, he’s just unstoppable. Tonight, he was outstanding.”
Doncic Responds
When a reporter shared Kessler’s and Redick’s comments with Doncic during his postgame news conference, he smiled and said, “Finally.”
Doncic said he didn’t know why he has a poor defensive reputation. He acknowledged that he took only a handful of charges in 6½ seasons with the Dallas Mavericks before committing more to the tactic in Los Angeles.
“It gets the whole team fired up,” Doncic said. “I just wanted to get better at that. And three charges is not bad for one game.”
Teammate Highlights Doncic’s Will
Sandro Mamukelashvili, who scored 11 points off the bench against his former team, pointed to Doncic’s determination as the reason for his defensive impact.
“You can tell he has pride,” Mamukelashvili said. “He has a pride, and he has a hunger. He has a will to not be labeled as that guy who you can just attack.”
Mamukelashvili said Doncic’s offensive impact comes from pure skill.
“You need three guys to guard him,” he said. “I have a feeling that every time Luka plays, it’s like 35-plus [points].”