Luka Doncic Says Lakers Failed to Match Pistons’ Physical Play
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The Los Angeles Lakers closed out 2025 with a lopsided defeat, falling 121-101 to the Detroit Pistons on December 30 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Guard Luka Doncic paced the Lakers with 30 points and 11 assists, but the team unraveled in the fourth quarter after staying close for most of the night. A three-point play by Doncic knotted the score at 79 with 5:47 remaining in the third, yet Detroit regained an eight-point cushion by period’s end and pushed the margin into double figures early in the fourth.
“It could have been better for sure,” Doncic said post-game. “We played great basketball for three quarters and then they went on an insane run. We’ve got to match their physicality. That’s the whole point.”
The Pistons overpowered Los Angeles inside, outscoring the hosts 74-44 in the paint and generating 31 fast-break points. “They were playing physical. We’ve got to match that,” Doncic added. “We kind of let go of the rope.”
Turnovers compounded the Lakers’ problems. Los Angeles committed 20 miscues, eight coming from Doncic, who acknowledged, “That was far too many.”
Detroit improved its Eastern Conference-best record with the win, while the Lakers searched for answers after another decisive loss marked by lapses in energy and physicality.
Source: Lakers Nation
