Luka Doncic, self-critical after scoring 38 points: "I can't lose 9 turnovers"

The streak of seven consecutive victories for Los Angeles Lakers came to an end on Monday with a 125-108 loss to the Phoenix Suns, in a game marked by Luka Doncic's nine turnovers. The player himself took responsibility after the game.

“That was my fault. I can't turn over the ball nine times in a game,” he said. Doncic started the night strong, with 20 points in the first quarter, the third time in the last four games that he surpassed that mark in the opening period. The game was tied at 31-31 before it shifted in favor of Phoenix.

In the second quarter, the situation changed completely. Doncic turned the ball over four times, while Austin Reaves committed four of his five turnovers in that stretch. The Suns took advantage to register a 35-21 run and break the game open. “I think it was a different defense than what other teams usually present,” Doncic explained. “They tried to let me score instead of creating for others. It was confusing, but as I said, I can't allow it.”

The nine turnovers by the Slovenian matched his career high. According to ESPN Research, the nine turnovers turned into steals directly by the Suns, the most live-ball turnovers by any player in a game this season.

The Lakers coach, JJ Redick, pointed to center Mark Williams as a key piece in Phoenix's disruption of Doncic.
“As for their strategy, they didn’t blitz or anything like that,” Redick said. “Mark Williams did a great job imposing his size. He has the second-highest vertical wingspan in the NBA. Whether in the post, off the ball, or in the pick-and-roll, he stayed in the center of the paint all the time.

“And their perimeter players were physical in pushing us toward that area. Once you're there, so tight, you're not going to be able to get the ball out, and that led to many turnovers.” Doncic finished with 38 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists. Reaves added 16 points. LeBron James ended the night with 10 points, 3 assists, and 3 turnovers. A three-pointer by him with 6:51 left in the final quarter extended his NBA record to 1,297 consecutive games scoring at least ten points.

“Turnovers and points in transition,” James summarized explaining the defeat. “At home and against such a disruptive defense, you can't afford to turn over the ball so much. And practically all of them were easy baskets for them. Not only did they force turnovers, but they scored off them.”

Phoenix, led by Dillon Brooks with 33 points and Collin Gillespie with 28, capitalized particularly in transition: they outscored the Lakers 28-2 in fast-break points.

The Lakers' Situation

Despite the stumble, the Lakers maintain a record of 15-5 at the quarter mark of the season. However, the immediate schedule is tough: the next four opponents have winning records, including a road trip to the East with three games in four nights against Toronto, Boston, and Philadelphia.

“We have to look at everything, absolutely everything,” Redick commented when asked about what the team needs to improve to get back on track. “Rotations, schemes, everything.”

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Luka Doncic, autocrítico tras meter 38 puntos: "No puedo perder 9 balones"