The Los Angeles Lakers have looked solid to start the 2025-26 season, even with LeBron James on the sideline. But after a brutal 121-92 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 12, a franchise legend is pointing fingers at the team’s biggest star. Lakers great Robert Horry didn’t hold back, blaming the defeat squarely on Luka Dončić’s shoulders.
Why Is a Lakers Legend Questioning Luka Dončić’s Shot Selection?
The loss to the Thunder marked arguably the worst performance of the season for Dončić, who has been on an incredible run. He scored a season-low 19 points on just 7-of-20 shooting from the field. Adding to his struggles, the superstar went 1-for-7 from three-point range and had four turnovers against seven assists. While Oklahoma City’s aggressive defense was a major factor, Horry focused on Dončić’s decisions with the ball.
Robert Horry questions Luka’s shot selection
“He’s trying so hard to be that guy. … A lot of his shots to me were bad shots because you got 3 defenders on you. Move the ball, it’ll come back to you.”
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) November 13, 2025
“He’s trying so hard to be that guy,” Horry said. “A lot of his shots to me were bad shots because you got 3 defenders on you. Move the ball, it’ll come back to you.” In the game, Dončić attempted 20 shots, eight more than Austin Reaves, who had the next-highest total for the Lakers.
Horry’s comments about the ball finding its way back to Dončić are backed by the numbers. He is averaging a career-high 34.9 points on 23.9 field goal attempts per game. The superstar also carries the highest usage rate of his career at 38.3 percent. That figure represents a 4.4 percent increase from his averages in the 2024-25 season, which he split between the Mavericks and the Lakers.
Known for his tough, step-back three-pointers, the third pick in the 2018 NBA Draft could not find his rhythm against the Thunder. Dončić finished the game with a plus-minus of -31, the second-worst on the team. Only Rui Hachimura was lower. The offensive struggles were clear from the start, as Los Angeles scored just 38 points in the first half and fell into a massive 32-point hole.
However, this is not the first time Horry has criticized Dončić this season. After the Lakers defeated the San Antonio Spurs on Nov. 5, the seven-time NBA champion said the star “plays too slow.” While Dončić has always utilized a methodical pace, Horry believes it disrupts the team’s offensive flow. Despite Dončić’s explosive start to the season, Los Angeles currently ranks 17th in the league with a 114.9 offensive rating.
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Before the Thunder game, Dončić had been on a tear, failing to score 30 points in only two of his eight games. He began the season with three straight 40-point performances. The MVP candidate contributes across the board, with three double-digit assist games and four double-digit rebound games already.
Although not known for his defense, he has also recorded at least two steals in four contests. Dončić and the Lakers will look to get back on track when they face the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, Nov. 14, a game where Los Angeles will likely be a heavy favorite.
Great article