Luka Doncic is shining on defense, has perfect 2-word reaction to praise

Luka Dončić couldn’t help but chuckle after a reporter asked him an unexpected question Sunday evening.Would you rather win the MVP Award or Defensive Player of the Year? Dončić’s reputation is no secret.Offensive savant. Defensive pole. But this season, the latter has increasingly felt like a misnomer, especially if you watched his brilliant two-way performance against the Raptors in the Lakers’ 113-101 win on Sunday. Dončić finished with 39 points (12-for-23 from the field, 8-for-12 from 3), 12 rebounds, five assists, five steals, one blocked shot and three drawn charges. Dončić is the first player with five steals and three drawn charges in the same game since player tracking began in 2013-2014, per ESPN.Said Lakers coach JJ Redick: “He’s been awesome on defense.”Added Walker Kessler: “Five steals and three charges.

Incredible.You know, incredible.

Luka doesn’t get enough credit for his defense.”When Doncic was told about the high praise he received, he didn’t hesitate in his response.“Oh, finally,” he said, cracking a smile.Dončić, who intends on winning over LA basketball fans, has been on an absolute tear this season.He’s leading the league in scoring with 37.7 points per game, the fifth-most points in NBA history through six games and the most since Michael Jordan in 1986-87.He’s averaging more points than any Laker player ever through six games, surpassing his record from last season (37).But defensive praise?That’s new.

That’s exciting.That could change the equation.On Sunday, Doncic was sneaking behind players and knocking the ball out of their hands.

He was deflecting passes in the lane.He was hammering the ball away from guys as they posted up against him in the paint.

He was leaping into the air to deflect errant passes. He was everywhere, doing everything. Defense has long been considered Doncic’s weakness.When the Mavericks shockingly traded him to the Lakers in February 2025, his detractors u...