{"id":126652,"date":"2025-03-03T09:51:45","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T14:51:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=126652"},"modified":"2025-03-03T09:51:45","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T14:51:45","slug":"lakers-take-kid-gloves-off-with-luka-doncic-and-he-responds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/03\/03\/lakers-take-kid-gloves-off-with-luka-doncic-and-he-responds\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Take ‘Kid Gloves’ Off With Luka Don\u010di\u0107, And He Responds"},"content":{"rendered":"

Luka Don\u010di\u0107<\/a> is finally comfortable with the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>. The team secured its sixth straight win on Sunday night, continuing a dominant stretch in 2025. The blockbuster trade<\/a> that sent Don\u010di\u0107 to the Lakers and Anthony Davis<\/a> to the Mavericks shocked the NBA. Both teams are adjusting to their new stars, but the Lakers have adapted much faster. In their recent two-game mini-series against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Lakers took off the ‘kid gloves’ with Luka Don\u010di\u0107.<\/p>\n

Lakers Take ‘Kid Gloves’ Off With Luka Don\u010di\u0107, And He Responds Emphatically\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Mavericks struggle with a depleted frontcourt due to injuries, including Davis. They recently signed<\/a> Kai Jones<\/a> to compensate, but their results remain inconsistent. Meanwhile, the Lakers have surged despite seeing only glimpses of Don\u010di\u0107\u2019s brilliance. LeBron James<\/a>, Austin Reaves<\/a>, and Rui Hachimura<\/a> have carried the scoring load as Don\u010di\u0107 settles into his new role.<\/p>\n

In just eight games, Don\u010di\u0107 has already delivered statement performances. His best game came against the Denver Nuggets<\/a>. He posted 32 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, and a block in a dominant road win. Against his former team, Don\u010di\u0107 secured a triple-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists. However, his latest game against the Clippers revealed the Lakers\u2019 full potential.<\/p>\n

Lakers Remove ‘Kid Gloves’ In Win Over Clippers<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Lakers’ back-to-back victories against the Clippers were significant. The team swept its crosstown rival, but the bigger takeaway was Don\u010di\u0107\u2019s evolving role. Injuries to Reaves and Hachimura forced the Lakers to rely on Don\u010di\u0107 and LeBron alone against a top-ranked defense.<\/p>\n

Head coach JJ Redick and his staff closely analyzed Don\u010di\u0107\u2019s conditioning and chemistry with LeBron<\/a>. In his first few games, Don\u010di\u0107 looked sluggish, possibly weighing over 270 pounds after missing two months with a calf injury. Against the Jazz, he ran out of breath midway through the game. Against the Clippers, he looked much sharper.<\/p>\n

In the first game, Don\u010di\u0107 shot 9-of-22 from the field. In the second, he improved to 9-of-17<\/a>. His first quarter in the rematch was a vintage Don\u010di\u0107 showcase. He scored three three-pointers, grabbed three steals, and dished three assists while hitting 4-of-5 shots. He talked trash, joined a Clippers huddle, and even attempted his signature pregame half-court shots.<\/p>\n