Luka Doncic expressed his excitement and satisfaction as the Los Angeles Lakers clinched the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference following their dominant 140-109 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday night.
The win not only secured home-court advantage for the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs but also marked their second Pacific Division title in the past 13 seasons.
For Doncic, the significance of locking in the third seed cannot be overstated. “Very important,” he said after the game. “It’s going to be my first time having homecourt advantage, so I’m really excited about it.”
Reflecting on the team’s journey, Doncic noted that securing the third seed had been the goal for the past several games, underscoring the importance of maintaining focus as the regular season wound down.
The 26-year-old Slovenian star is entering the postseason with renewed confidence, especially after a recent stretch of games where his efficiency has been at its peak. “Big confidence,” Doncic said. “Especially getting back in my rhythm – it’s important for me, important for the team.” With his confidence rising, Doncic is eager to lead the Lakers through the upcoming playoff battles.
One area in which Doncic’s game has notably improved is his finishing at the rim. He credits his physical progress for his increased efficiency. “When I drive the ball… sometimes around the rim, I can score,” he explained. “But sometimes there are so many guys in the paint that I can create a lot of open shots.” His ability to finish plays while involving teammates has been key to the Lakers’ success.
When asked about the team’s chemistry, Doncic highlighted the effective lob game between him and his teammates. “I’ve always been kind of looking for lobs,” he remarked. “We don’t work on it. It’s just the feeling we have with each other on the court.” That instinctive connection has been on full display throughout the season, and it’s one of the reasons the Lakers’ offense has been so potent.
As the team prepares for the postseason, Doncic is also focusing on rest and recovery during the nine-day break before the first round of the playoffs. “Big time,” he said when asked about how these days off would benefit him. “I gotta get some rest. The good part of the season is coming, so I gotta stay ready, stay locked in.”
Looking ahead to the playoffs, Doncic is well aware of the challenges ahead. When asked about the Lakers’ championship potential, he agreed with Austin Reaves’ sentiment that the team could win it all. “We have the team to do it,” Doncic said. “We’re a hard team to beat, so that’s our goal.”
Doncic will also get the chance to pair up with LeBron James in the postseason for the first time. When discussing the duo’s potential, Doncic was confident in their ability to be a formidable force. “It’s going to be hard to stop us,” he said. However, he was quick to emphasize that success will depend on the entire team. “It’s not just me and LeBron – we have a great team around us.”
As the Lakers rest up and prepare for the playoffs, Doncic is ready for the emotional rollercoaster ahead. “My emotions… I deal with by playing basketball,” he shared. “Going to the playoffs, trying to win every game – that’s it.”
