LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24, 2026 — Luka Doncic said a split-second judgment about distance and time prompted him to pass up an open three-pointer on the Los Angeles Lakers’ last possession of a 110-109 defeat to the Orlando Magic at Crypto.com Arena.
With the Lakers trailing by one and roughly six seconds remaining, Doncic received the inbounds pass beyond the arc but elected to dribble once and then hand the ball to LeBron James, whose ensuing jumper missed as time expired.
“I know I was open, but I just thought I was a little bit far,” Doncic told reporters after finishing with 22 points on 8-for-24 shooting and 15 assists. “I probably shouldn’t have picked up the ball and just tried to attack.”
The guard acknowledged that his 2-for-10 night from three-point range contributed to the hesitation. “Maybe a little bit,” he said. “There were six or seven seconds left—enough time to get a better look and try to drive.”
Orlando, playing without Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner, relied on size and physicality to bother Doncic throughout the game. The Magic outrebounded Los Angeles and generated crucial second-chance points to erase a fourth-quarter deficit, handing the Lakers their first loss this season when leading after three periods.
Los Angeles concludes its eight-game homestand Thursday against the Phoenix Suns. Head coach JJ Redick recently debuted a starting lineup of Doncic, Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton, a group Doncic called “a very good lineup.”
Source: LakersNation.com
