{"id":51037,"date":"2025-04-09T07:10:29","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T07:10:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=51037"},"modified":"2025-04-09T07:10:29","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T07:10:29","slug":"breaking-news-%f0%9f%91%80-lakers-star-luka-doncic-breaks-silence-with-bold-message-for-shai-gilgeous-alexander","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=51037","title":{"rendered":"Breaking News: \ud83d\udc40 Lakers star Luka Doncic breaks silence with bold message for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"luka<\/p>\n

Luka Doncic defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.<\/p>\n

After a crushing loss to the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers bounced back against the New Orleans Pelicans.<\/p>\n

However, they will not face that team again in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, the Lakers had one of their biggest games of the season against the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder. They were up for the challenge as the game was essentially over at halftime. Los Angeles won by a final score of 126-99.<\/p>\n

One of the biggest stories of the game was how the Lakers kept MVP front-runner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in check. Though he had 26 points, he didn\u2019t shoot a single free throw in a game for the first time since 2021.<\/p>\n

Even with the surprise performance, Lakers guard Luka Doncic had a lot of praise for Gilgeous-Alexander.<\/p>\n

\u201cShai, I think he\u2019s an unbelievable player. He makes them look like they\u2019re an incredible team, and they are,\u201d Doncic said after the game.<\/p>\n

The Thunder had the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference locked up before the Lakers game so it\u2019s possible they weren\u2019t as locked in as they would be in a playoff matchup. That said, Los Angeles has to be feeling better about their chances vs. Oklahoma City should they face off in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

JJ Redick Praises Doncic<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Doncic was key for the Lakers in the big win. He led all scorers with 30 points and also chipped in six assists and seven rebounds.<\/p>\n

The Thunder is a team that he\u2019s played really well against throughout his career. Lakers head coach JJ Redick had some high praise for the star guard after the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he relishes the challenge,\u201d\u00a0Redick said\u00a0of Doncic. \u201cYou\u2019re gonna get the best defender every night. You\u2019re gonna get all the different coverages every night when you\u2019re him. \u2026 Sometimes great players can get bored with that process, and so when you get like the fully engaged star in a big-time game, some special things can happen. And Luka did some special things like tonight.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

LeBron James\u00a0has been slowing down after a strong start to the year. It\u2019s clear that the Lakers will rely on Doncic heavily throughout the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Redick Talks Lakers Defense<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Lakers\u2019 offense scored an impressive 126 points on one of the best defenses in the NBA. However, what might be even more impressive is that they held the NBA\u2019s best team to just 99 points.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles isn\u2019t known as a great defensive team but they\u2019ve proven they can lock down some potent offenses when they really lock in. Redick was impressed with what he saw from his team.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we were very connected in both intent and in spirit on both ends of the floor,\u201d Redick said. \u201cVery committed to what we were trying to do defensively and very committed to where we felt like we could generate good shots offensively against a terrific defense. And there wasn\u2019t a let-up to that.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The Lakers\u2019 offense can be one of the best in the NBA most nights. If the defense can continue to overachieve in big spots, Los Angeles will be a serious threat to win the championship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Luka Doncic defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After a crushing loss to the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers bounced back against the New Orleans Pelicans. 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