The defensive side of Luka Dončić’s game remains scrutinized in almost every playoff series. Offensively, he drains buckets like none other, but apprehensions about his defense usually steal the spotlight. With the Los Angeles Lakers down 3-1 in their playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dončić’s defending left a lot to be desired.
An NBA analyst laid it all out after the player’s non-defensive performance in the Lakers’ loss to the Timberwolves. With Game 5 heading to Los Angeles, LeBron James might need to dig up his inner 2016 NBA playoffs run mentality, coming back from 3-1 to win the series.
The analyst went off on Dončić’s defensive frailties, which hold up the team from the start.
NBA Analyst Rips Luka Dončić Apart for His Defensive Effort
At first, NBA analyst Zach Lowe refreshed fans’ memories of 2022, when the Dallas Mavericks met the Phoenix Suns in the playoff series. The thrilling playoff series ended in a 4-3 victory for the Mavericks, but Lowe pointed out Dončić’s lack of defense in the first two games.
“Why do you have to get humiliated at the beginning of every single playoff series before you show the world like, yeah, I can actually put in a little bit more of an effort on defense? Because if you go back and watch Game 1 and 2 of that Phoenix series, he is so bad defensively that it’s laughable, and then all of a sudden he becomes passable,” said Lowe.
“He’s just helpless.”@ZachLowe_NBA reacts to the defensive effort from Luka Doncic four games into the series vs. Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/B3Moxnq3n7
— The Ringer (@ringer) April 28, 2025
He scored 45 and 35 points in Games 1 and 2 of that particular series. However, his +/—for those two games stood at -4 and -28, sparking a debate regarding his defense.
The analyst understood the gravity of the situation and stated, “And yet again, here we are—four games into the series, and he’s just helpless.”
Digging deep into Dončić’s defensive stats in those three losses against the Suns in the playoffs, the numbers fail to amaze the masses. The opposition had 9.0 defended field goals and a staggering 16.0 defended field goals attempted, as clearly, they attacked Dončić from the start. The game plan of the Suns’ offensive output went clearly through Dončić with a FREQ% of 100.
Now, is this a smart trade for the Mavericks? According to some, it can’t be declared a complete failure.
Dončić’s Defensive Efforts Come Into the Spotlight Yet Again
Lowe continued, “You can find corners of smart NBA people, team people who would tell you the idea of getting out ahead of this and trading Luka is not a crazy idea. The idea of doing it without shopping him to get nine first-round draft picks and swaps, and doing this specific trade, is where the logic falls apart. I still think it’s a crazy trade.”
Dončić’s trade to the Lakers stands alone if there’s one trade that makes fans hungover through a rollercoaster of emotions. It shocked fans then, now, and forever as Mavericks GM Nico Harrison faces the wrath of the fans wherever he goes.
However, the analyst Lowe can see why they did it, considering the defensive side of his game. As an offensive output, he puts up incredible numbers. The defending, though, can improve.
Players get past him easily and switch to Dončić during most offensive matchups. According to Lowe, this series demands better effort from Dončić, and fans believe the same.
