LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic accepted responsibility for the Los Angeles Lakers’ 125-108 home loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday night, pointing to his career-high-tying nine turnovers as the decisive factor.
“That was my fault. No way I can have nine turnovers in a game,” the eighth-year guard said after the Lakers’ seven-game winning run came to an end.
Doncic erupted for 20 points in the opening quarter — his third 20-plus first period in the past four games — and the teams were level at 31-31. The momentum shifted in the second quarter when he committed four giveaways and teammate Austin Reaves added four of his own. Phoenix used a 35-21 stretch to seize control.
According to ESPN Research, all nine of Doncic’s turnovers were recorded as steals by the Suns, marking the highest number of live-ball turnovers by any player in the NBA this season.
Interior defense stifles Lakers
Lakers head coach JJ Redick credited Suns center Mark Williams — acquired by Los Angeles last February before the club rescinded the deal with Charlotte — for clogging the paint and disrupting ball movement.
“They never blitzed; Williams just stayed big in the middle,” Redick said. “With his length, once we got forced into tight spaces, the ball wasn’t getting through, and that led to a lot of turnovers.”
Doncic finished with 38 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Reaves scored 16. LeBron James was limited to 10 points while extending his NBA record to 1,297 consecutive double-digit games with a three-pointer at the 6:51 mark of the fourth quarter.
“Turnovers, transition points,” James said, noting that many of the miscues became “pick-sixes” for Phoenix.
Suns capitalize in transition
Dillon Brooks paced the Suns with 33 points, and Collin Gillespie added 28. Phoenix outscored Los Angeles 28-2 on fast breaks.
The Lakers dropped to 15-5 with four straight games looming against opponents above .500, including a three-games-in-four-nights East Coast swing through Toronto, Boston and Philadelphia.
“You have to look at everything — rotations, schemes, all that,” Redick said of the immediate adjustments needed.
Source: ESPN
