Luka Doncic addressed comments from Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who recently met with the team to emphasize stronger defensive effort from star players.
“It was good. We talked about a lot—not just that. But he was right. You got to get a little bit more, especially from the star players. So that’s on us, that’s on me,” Doncic told reporters via Dave McMenamin on Wednesday.
The Los Angeles Lakers (18-7) are preparing to face the Utah Jazz (10-15) on Thursday at 9:00 p.m. ET at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Los Angeles enters on a one-game winning streak, while Utah seeks to extend a two-game run.
The Lakers will be without Deandre Ayton (left elbow soreness), Austin Reaves (left calf strain), and Bronny James, who is on a G League assignment. Maxi Kleber is probable with a lumbar strain, and Gabe Vincent is questionable with low back soreness.
Doncic continues to lead the team offensively, averaging 34.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game. LeBron James contributes 17.6 points and 7.2 assists, while Rui Hachimura adds 13.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest. Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia provide additional scoring depth, combining for 18.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Utah’s lineup faces multiple absences shaping rotations. Walker Kessler (left shoulder), Georges Niang (left foot), and Elijah Harkless are out, while Lauri Markkanen is questionable with a right groin injury. John Tonje and Oscar Tshiebwe remain sidelined on two-way assignments.
Markkanen leads Utah with 27.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, supported by Keyonte George’s 23.5 points and 6.8 assists. Ace Bailey and Kyle Filipowski contribute scoring and rebounding, while Jusuf Nurkic anchors the paint with 9.6 rebounds per contest.
The Lakers have won both previous meetings this season, including a 140-126 home victory and a 108-106 road win. With defensive intensity highlighted by Redick, Doncic and James are expected to shoulder more responsibility in containing Utah’s top scorers.
