It is well-known that defense never has been Luka Doncic’s strength.
But in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ last-second 113-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night, Doncic’s inattention on that end might have made the difference in a game that the Lakers had to have amid their playoff pursuit.
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Though Doncic impressed with 41 points, eight assists and eight rebounds, Lakers fans called out their superstar point guard for moving slowly on defense in the fourth quarter, as Los Angeles eventually blew a 13-point lead and lost at the buzzer on Royce O’Neale’s 3-point jumper.
All in the 4th quarter🤐 https://t.co/FDWiZjug27 pic.twitter.com/ZCzYzOPMqJ
— #5ontheway (@bron23xgoat) February 27, 2026
“There’s two possibilities,” wrote @mgonzale67 on X. “(Doncic) is either hurt or (former Dallas Mavericks GM Harrison) Nico was right.
“Hope he will not sign an extension and becomes a free agent,” another fan said.
“Get him off this team man,” wrote another. “Horrible fanbase with an even worse (front office) and coach. Even feel bad for most of the players.”
These comments are all about the NBA’s scoring leader at 32.7 points per game. But to some fans, all the points in the world don’t matter if there is a lack of defensive intensity at the other end.
Defense has been a problem in Los Angeles all season, and it isn’t just on Doncic. The Lakers (34-24) rank 24th in defensive efficiency and have a negative net rating in part because of their collective inability to keep the ball out of their basket.
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