LeBron James Marvels at Luka Doncic’s Incredible Performance
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — LeBron James couldn’t hide his admiration for what he called "Luka magic" after witnessing Luka Doncic deliver a stunning performance with 45 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds. This impressive feat marked Doncic's fifth triple-double of the season, contributing to the Lakers' victory over the Utah Jazz with a score of 143-135 on Thursday night.
James, who himself scored 28 points and provided 10 assists for the Lakers, praised Doncic’s remarkable abilities, stating, "That’s Luka. Luka magic! It’s no surprise. He’s just so damn good, it’s ridiculous."
This marked the first time Doncic achieved a 40-point triple-double as a Laker since joining the team last season. Notably, he became only the second player in NBA history to record a triple-double featuring 45 points and five steals, with Cade Cunningham being the first to achieve this milestone.
During the postgame press conference, Doncic expressed that the statistic he valued most was his single turnover. "One turnover is the best thing on this stat sheet. We have seven turnovers, which is impressive for us, and we won the game," Doncic remarked, highlighting a significant area of improvement for the team.
The Lakers had established a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter, but the Jazz narrowed the gap to 134-130. In a crucial moment, Doncic assisted Jaxson Hayes, providing the necessary cushion that allowed the Lakers to secure their win. Amidst the excitement, Doncic exchanged banter with a Jazz fan sitting courtside, playfully shouting, "Sit down" and "How are you doing now?" after Hayes completed a powerful dunk off a lob pass from Doncic.
Despite facing relentless traps and double teams from the Jazz, Doncic managed to score 10 points in the final quarter, helping the Lakers outscore their opponents 41-29 in that period.
For over twenty years, James has been the focal point of his team's offense, often taking on the role of playmaker. However, it is now Doncic who leads the charge, especially during tight game situations. Thanks to Doncic’s leadership, the Lakers have an impressive record of 10-0 in clutch moments this season.
"It’s pretty awesome to be 10-0 in the clutch, and 12-3 on the road too, which is not easy," Doncic noted, reflecting on the team's strong performance.
Marcus Smart benefited from two assists from Doncic, nailing three-pointers during a crucial stretch in the fourth quarter as the Jazz attempted to apply pressure through double teams. Many players on the Lakers, including both Smart and Doncic who received technical fouls, felt frustrated by the officiating in a tightly contested game. Yet, Smart was particularly impressed by Doncic’s ability to maintain his composure under pressure.
“It was big-time for us. He stayed in there mentally. I know he was very frustrated, but he kept his composure, held it together and did what he does best. He controlled his team and helped us come up with this victory,” Smart affirmed, acknowledging Doncic’s pivotal role in the win.
Although the Lakers were without key players like Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton due to injuries, Doncic refused to let these absences become an excuse for their performance.
“There are stretches of excellence but there are stretches where he’s not as engaged and isn’t executing our stuff defensively… but he played certainly well enough to lead us to a win. He and LeBron had 28 assists and three turnovers,” commented Los Angeles coach JJ Redick, encapsulating the duo's effectiveness.
In a humble response to his historic achievement, Doncic acknowledged, "Honestly, I could do some more," demonstrating his desire for continual improvement even after such a standout night.
