Luka Doncic performed one of the vital statistically outstanding video games of his profession within the Los Angeles Lakers’ 143-135 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday, but the Slovenian star was removed from glad together with his personal efficiency.
Doncic completed with 45 factors, 14 assists, 11 rebounds, 5 steals and only one turnover, a mixture achieved by just one different participant in NBA historical past.
Even so, his post-match focus was firmly on what he felt may nonetheless be improved.
“I believe, actually, I may accomplish that rather more,” Doncic stated. “However I believe that one turnover is the very best stat-wise on this stat sheet. We had seven turnovers, which is spectacular for us and we gained the sport.”
Solely Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham has beforehand recorded a 45-point triple-double with 5 steals for the reason that NBA started formally monitoring steals within the 1973-74 season, a feat he achieved in an additional time win in opposition to Washington final month.
The efficiency marked Doncic’s tenth profession 40-point triple-double, putting him alongside James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson as the one gamers to succeed in that milestone 10 occasions or extra.
He additionally grew to become the primary Laker to register a 40-point triple-double since Magic Johnson did so in March 1981, additionally in opposition to Utah.
Crucially for Los Angeles, the show got here alongside a season-best effort in ball safety. The Lakers dedicated a season-low seven turnovers, limiting Utah to only 9 fast-break factors and serving to to offset ongoing defensive points.
Head coach JJ Redick echoed Doncic’s self-assessment, pointing to areas of inconsistency regardless of the standout numbers.
“[He had] stretches of taking part in wonderful, being engaged and executing our stuff defensively, after which stretches the place he’s not as engaged and isn’t executing our stuff defensively,” Redick stated.
“However I might say that’s for everyone. I believe the largest factor, he performed definitely effectively sufficient to steer us to a win. Him and LeBron [James], with 24 assists and three turnovers [combined].”
James added 28 factors, 10 assists and 7 rebounds, and was in a position to proceed after a regarding collision within the first half with Utah rookie Walter Clayton Jr. The influence to James’ left knee briefly left the 23-year veteran on the ground, elevating fears given his earlier MCL harm to the identical knee throughout final season’s playoffs.
“Just a bit bolt to the knee, like a pointy ache to the knee,” James stated. “Received kneed on the within, just like the medial aspect, of the knee. And simply form of wished to take my time a little bit bit because it calmed down, or hoping it calmed down.
“I instructed Mike [Mancias], my coach, I stated, ‘We dodged a bullet there.’”
The victory proved vital within the standings, notably with Houston and Detroit each shedding elsewhere.
The Lakers improved to 10-0 in clutch-time video games this season and moved to 19-7 overall, their third-best report by means of 26 video games throughout James’ eight seasons with the franchise.
Maybe that context defined why James was extra complimentary of Doncic than Doncic was of himself, particularly with the Lakers lacking starters Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton by means of harm.
“It’s Luka,” James stated. “‘Luka Magic,’ so there’s no shock. He’s simply so rattling good. It’s ridiculous.”
