Luka Dončić is spending the 2025-26 season cementing his status as a Los Angeles Lakers cornerstone. His 60-point explosion against the Miami Heat on March 19 reminded everyone why he is the league’s most dangerous offensive engine.
However, while the basketball world marvels at his ability to manipulate defenses and control the pace, one NBA legend has stepped in to remind us where this style of offense originated and who did it before Dončić.
Isaiah Thomas Says Luka Dončić Wouldn’t Exist Without James Harden
Former NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas has stirred a new debate. He argued that although Luka Dončić is a generational talent, he is essentially operating on a manual written by prime James Harden during his legendary run with the Houston Rockets.
The veteran point guard didn’t hold back in his assessment and took to X to ensure that Harden gets his flowers for revolutionizing the game. Thomas made it clear that, in his eyes, Dončić’s dominant playstyle isn’t just similar to Harden’s; it’s a direct evolution of it.
“There’s no Luka if James Harden doesn’t exist… James Harden changed the game and he doesn’t get enough credit. Luka plays exactly how prime harden played in Houston. And the you couldn’t stop NOTHING!!!! Real hoop game with manipulation of the game to go in they favor OMG,” tweeted Thomas.
There’s no Luka if James harden doesn’t exist… James harden changed the game and he doesn’t get enough credit. Luka plays exactly how prime harden played in Houston. And the you couldn’t stop NOTHING!!!! Real hoop game with manipulation of the game to go in they favor OMG
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) March 27, 2026
For those who watched Rockets-era Harden, Thomas’ point resonates. Using step-back shooting and elite passing, Harden was unstoppable on the hardwood. To Thomas, the traits that define Dončić’s 2025-26 brilliance are what Harden had already displayed.
Statistical Comparison: Peak Harden vs. Current Dončić
During the historic 2018-19 season, Harden averaged a staggering 36.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game, while shooting 44.2% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc. Dončić is currently mirroring that same production with elite precision.
In 2025-26, he is leading the league in scoring at 33.6 points per game while dishing out 8.3 assists and 7.8 rebounds, shooting 47.4% from the field and 36.4% from the 3-point line.
In 78 regular-season games, Harden fired 1,909 shots from the floor, while Dončić has shot 1,396 field shots in just 61 games (and counting).
While the Rockets relied on Harden’s elite scoring ability on nearly every possession, recording 57 games with 30+ points, Dončić has been rotating the ball more for the Lakers and has more scoring options, while using his 6-foot-8 frame and body weight to dominate his defenders.
Both players have mastered the slow-motion drive, which gives them the leverage to utilize body control to change the pace mid-layup, depending on the defender. When it comes to the performance from the charity line, Dončić made 482-of-623 (77.4%) from the free-throw line this season, against Harden’s 754-of-858 (87.9%) from 2018-19.
Whether you call it a blueprint or an evolution, it seems like Thomas’ claims are supported by statistics, and stats don’t lie.
