Luka Doncic reflected on the Los Angeles Lakers’ struggles after their 126-106 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, pointing to defensive issues as a key factor. Despite his 45-point performance, the Lakers fell behind in the second half and were unable to recover.
“I think for them it was too easy to score. I think they were just scoring all around. We couldn’t stop them,” Doncic said postgame. “I think [the difference] was on the defensive end for sure.”
The Lakers played without LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes, leaving them shorthanded against a deep Milwaukee team. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, while Brook Lopez, Damian Lillard, and Kevin Porter Jr. all scored at least 22 points.
Doncic acknowledged the challenge of missing key players but stressed the importance of staying focused. “The mindset is we got to keep going. We got three really important players out. It’s always going to be tough when three, four starters are out,” he said.
Los Angeles kept the game competitive in the first half, with Doncic scoring 29 points by the break. However, Milwaukee took control in the third quarter, using a 24-7 run to outscore the Lakers 31-19 and put the game out of reach.
Austin Reaves added 28 points for Los Angeles, but the team struggled to generate offense beyond him and Doncic. The Lakers’ supporting cast, including Alex Len, Christian Koloko, and Markieff Morris, combined for just eight points.
With six games in eight days ahead, Doncic emphasized the importance of maintaining energy and preparation. “At the end of the day, we’re getting paid to do that, and there shouldn’t be any excuses that you’re tired,” he said. “You live for this. You just have to have great recovery after every game.”
The Lakers, now 40-24, have lost three straight games and will finish their road trip against the Denver Nuggets on Friday. Head coach JJ Redick confirmed that James, Hachimura, and Hayes have returned to California for further evaluation.
Milwaukee, which had dropped three straight games before this win, improved to 37-28 and remains fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. The Bucks used their depth to secure the victory, with their bench outscoring the Lakers’ reserves 45-20.
Doncic has averaged 26.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists in 13 games since joining the Lakers. As Los Angeles navigates its injuries and tough schedule, he remains focused on helping the team push forward. “We just got to learn from it. We got to go to the next game with a mentality that we can win,” he said.
