"I am improving in defense": Luka Doncic, after scoring 43 against the Warriors and losing

After playing 41 minutes, the highest of the game, in the opening defeat of Los Angeles Lakers against the Golden State Warriors by 119-109, Luka Doncic spent even more time in the training room receiving treatment on the inside of his right leg. "It's probably nothing," Doncic commented after appearing in the post-game press conference almost an hour and a half after the final buzzer. "I just felt it a bit because my hip moved in the opposite direction. I felt it a bit, but it's probably nothing." Before this small setback, Doncic had a dominant performance. He finished with 43 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, also showing improved mobility on defense compared to when he was traded to the Lakers during the second half of last season, recording two steals. "I think I'm improving on defense, just trying to get involved more, communicate more [with my teammates]," Doncic added. "But overall, 41 minutes, so I like that." The Slovenian point guard, who worked intensively on his physique during the offseason through exercise and diet, was particularly effective attacking the rim against the Warriors, with a record of 13 of 14 in the paint and 15 of 17 on two-pointers, according to ESPN Research. Noetheless, he committed three turnovers, a problem that affected the entire L.A. team, which accumulated 20 errors, generating 22 points for Golden State. Additionally, he struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 2 of 10 on three-pointers, contributing to the Lakers' overall 8 of 32 from the three-point line. Horrible third quarter for the Lakers The difference was especially noticeable in the third quarter, where the Lakers were outscored 35-25, widening the lead for the Warriors. "The trend I see is that we continue to be a terrible team in the third quarter," said Lakers coach JJ Redick. "That was last year. That was in the pre-season. We need to rethink some things, and it's, you know, a two-way thing with the players. What do they need at halftime to make sure they're ready to play? They're not ready to play at the start of the third quarter." The Lakers will have two days of practice and recovery for Doncic before their next home game on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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