UPDATE: Luka Doncic has stepped forward to take responsibility for the Los Angeles Lakers’ disappointing 125-108 loss to the Phoenix Suns on November 27, 2023. The star guard blamed his staggering nine turnovers for the defeat, stating, “That was my fault. No way I can have nine turnovers in a game.”
The Lakers’ seven-game win streak came to an abrupt halt as Doncic shone with 20 points in the first quarter, marking the third time in four games he hit the 20-point mark in the opening frame. However, momentum shifted drastically when he committed four turnovers in the second quarter, contributing to a disastrous 35-21 scoring run by the Suns, who surged ahead.
Doncic’s turnovers proved pivotal, resulting in a record-breaking total of nine live-ball turnovers that all led to fast-break points for Phoenix. “I feel like it definitely was a different defense than other teams,” Doncic added, acknowledging the Suns’ strategy to limit his playmaking.
Lakers coach JJ Redick highlighted the impact of Suns center Mark Williams, noting his formidable presence in the paint. “Mark Williams did a great job of just being big,” Redick said. “Their guards did a good job of being physical and forcing us down there, leading to a lot of turnovers.”
Despite Doncic’s impressive overall performance of 38 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists, the team’s collective effort faltered against a Suns squad led by Dillon Brooks with 33 points and Collin Gillespie at 28 points. The Suns dominated the fast-break game, outscoring the Lakers 28-2 in transition points.
LeBron James, who scored 10 points and extended his NBA record streak to 1,297 straight games scoring double digits, weighed in on the loss: “Turnovers, transition points… you can’t turn the ball over that much.”
The Lakers now stand at 15-5 as they prepare for a challenging upcoming schedule. They will face three opponents with winning records in a crucial East Coast road trip, including games in Toronto, Boston, and Philadelphia.
Redick emphasized the need for improvement, stating, “You got to look at everything… rotations, schemes, all that stuff.” As the Lakers regroup, all eyes will be on how they bounce back from this setback and address their turnover issues in the coming games.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Lakers’ season as they aim to regain their winning rhythm.
