Luka Doncic scored 42 points with 12 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-113 at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday. The victory extended the Lakers’ winning streak to four games and followed their clinching of the Pacific Division title.
“Yeah, for sure. I mean, if you don’t win, it doesn’t really mean anything,” Doncic said when asked about surpassing Kobe Bryant with 600 points in March. “The run we’ve been on, it means a lot. So, we got to just keep playing like that.”
Head coach JJ Redick emphasized the team effort, noting it was not just Doncic, LeBron James, or Austin Reaves stepping up. “It just can’t be some guys play good and the rest don’t,” Doncic added. “Everybody is playing great. Everybody on the staff gives 100%, and we play for each other out there.”
The guard also discussed the team’s evolving chemistry. “I think it was just natural motion of the game. We just figure out how to play together,” he said. “I think our ceiling is still higher than what we’re doing now.”
Doncic acknowledged the contributions of role players like Jake LaRavia, praising their defensive focus even when shots aren’t falling. “Sometimes you’re not going to make shots, but you can impact the game in other ways. He’s been doing that every game. We appreciate what he’s doing for us,” he said.
Regarding MVP discussions, Doncic remained measured. “I never did that, so I’m not going to. I’m not the one voting, but I think I’ve been playing pretty good. We’ve been winning, so that’s it.”
The All-Star also touched on in-game motivation. “Sometimes it fires me up. I don’t take pride in it, but it happens on every basketball court,” he said of trash-talking and competitive drive.
Defensively, the Lakers contained Cleveland’s backcourt effectively. “It was very tough. We know both are amazing players, but we did a great job communicating, getting them to take tough shots instead of easy ones,” Doncic said about limiting James Harden and Donovan Mitchell.
He highlighted Deandre Ayton’s role in controlling the game. “He’s been great. When he plays like that, he helps us win,” Doncic said.
The team maintained a high shooting percentage throughout, finishing 54.2% from the floor. Los Angeles led 65-53 at halftime and expanded the advantage to 110-83 by the fourth quarter. With the win, the Lakers have achieved 50 victories in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2007–11.
On the pace of the season and playoffs, Doncic said, “I need rest after the season. I don’t want them to start now.”
