Luka Doncic Takes Accountability as Lakers Shift Focus to Defense
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – The Los Angeles Lakers, currently boasting the third-best record in the Western Conference at 18-7, are making a concerted effort to turn their solid season into something more. After falling short in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, head coach JJ Redick is pushing the team to strengthen one key area: defense.
For Redick, the focus is clear. Despite a strong offensive lineup, the Lakers have struggled on the defensive side of the ball. With defensive ratings ranking 20th in the league, the team has also struggled to limit opponents’ fast breaks and 3-point shooting. Redick has turned to the team’s stars—LeBron James and Luka Doncic—to lead the charge in improving these critical areas.
“We need more,” Doncic said after a practice session on Wednesday. “It was a good meeting with coach Redick. He was right; we need to do better, especially from the star players. That’s on us. We need to start games better and bring more intensity from the tip-off.”
Redick’s Challenge to Stars and Team
The Lakers’ defensive woes have been evident in recent games, with the team struggling to defend the perimeter and transition plays. To remedy this, Redick has used a combination of on-court instruction and film analysis to help the Lakers understand where they’ve been falling short. According to Redick, the team’s defensive improvement starts with individual accountability.
Through the course of several intense film sessions, Redick highlighted areas where the Lakers’ defense was lacking and outlined clear expectations moving forward. The stars, Doncic and LeBron James, were particularly singled out as the key figures who could inspire the rest of the team to raise their defensive game.
“I think it’s a mentality thing,” Doncic explained. “The game plan in Phoenix was all about us and our defense. We came in with the right mindset, and we executed much better.”
A Defining Win Against Phoenix
The Lakers’ defensive turnaround was on full display during their Sunday road win against the Phoenix Suns. In a thrilling 116-114 victory, the Lakers held Phoenix to just 15 points in the third quarter, including an impressive eight-minute stretch where the Suns were held scoreless.
“It was a good game for us defensively,” Doncic continued. “Phoenix is one of the toughest teams in the league, and we showed what we’re capable of when we lock in on defense.”
The Lakers are hopeful that this game will serve as a reference point for what their defense can look like at its best. According to Redick, the Phoenix game is a blueprint for the Lakers moving forward. “We should be striving to play like that every game,” Doncic added. “It was a complete team effort, and we need to keep that intensity.”
Next Challenge: Utah Jazz
Looking ahead, the Lakers will face another defensive challenge in their upcoming game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday. Despite Utah’s 10-15 record, Redick emphasized that the Jazz’s ability to create offensive mismatches through off-ball screening and player movement requires a disciplined defensive effort.
“Utah knows how to manipulate defensive switches,” Redick said. “[Lauri] Markkanen is one of the most talented forwards in the league, and they have shooters who can make you pay if you’re not careful.”
The Lakers’ defense will be tested once again, especially with Deandre Ayton ruled out for the game due to left elbow soreness. Gabe Vincent is also questionable due to a lower back issue, leaving the Lakers with a shorthanded roster for this key matchup.
As the Lakers look to solidify their defense, the question remains: can the team maintain its focus on that end of the floor and build on its momentum heading into the second half of the season?
