The Los Angeles Lakers are down 3-1 to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. The Timberwolves have a chance to send the Lakers home in Game 5 on Wednesday in Los Angeles.
New Lakers star Luka Doncic is averaging 30.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks against the Timberwolves through four games.
However, Doncic has been targeted by Minnesota players on defense and hasn’t played well on that end, which popular NBA analyst Zach Lowe of The Ringer pointed out on Monday.
“And yet again here we are, we’re four games into this series, and he’s just helpless,” Lowe said.
Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison traded Doncic because he wasn’t pleased by his effort on defense and had issues with his conditioning. Even though Doncic is playing well offensively for the Lakers, he is struggling mightily defensively.
Los Angeles head coach JJ Redick became the first coach in the play-by-play era to play the same five guys for an entire half in a postseason game. Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith and LeBron James played the entire second half for the Lakers in Game 4, a contest Minnesota won by three points.
Doncic may have been tired late in Game 4. Remember, he dealt with a stomach flu in Game 3.
However, defense has never been Doncic’s strong suit. He has always struggled to stay in front of people since entering the NBA in 2019.
Doncic has to play the best defense of his life on Wednesday. Otherwise, the Lakers are likely going to lose to the Timberwolves in five quick games.
