Lakers’ Win Streak Ends as Doncic’s Turnovers Haunt Team

The Los Angeles Lakers’ impressive seven-game winning streak came to an end on March 11, 2024, with a disappointing 125-108 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Luka Doncic, a standout player for the Lakers, took responsibility for the defeat, citing his nine turnovers as a critical factor. “That was my fault,” Doncic stated. “No way I can have nine turnovers in a game.”

In a strong start, Doncic scored 20 points in the first quarter, marking the third time in four games he achieved that feat. The Lakers were tied with the Suns at 31-31 at the end of the first quarter. However, the situation deteriorated rapidly as the second quarter unfolded. Doncic committed four turnovers during this period, and teammate Austin Reaves added four more, contributing to a 35-21 scoring advantage for Phoenix.

Defensive Challenges and Turnovers Plague Lakers

Doncic noted the Suns employed a different defensive strategy that focused on allowing him to score rather than facilitating for his teammates. “It was kind of confusing, but like I said, just can’t have it,” he explained. His nine turnovers tied a career high and resulted in steals for the Suns, which was the highest number of live-ball turnovers by any player in a game this season, according to ESPN Research.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick pointed to Suns center Mark Williams as a key factor in making things challenging for Doncic. Redick highlighted Williams’ physical presence, noting, “In terms of the scheme, they never went to any sort of blitz or shock or anything like that. Mark Williams did a great job of just being big.”

The Lakers struggled to find offensive rhythm, with LeBron James contributing only 10 points, along with 3 assists and 3 turnovers. Despite scoring a three-pointer that extended his record streak to 1,297 consecutive games with double-digit points, James acknowledged the team’s struggles. “Turnovers, transition points,” he said. “You can’t turn the ball over that much, especially on our home floor.”

Phoenix’s offensive onslaught was led by Dillon Brooks and Collin Gillespie, who respectively scored 33 and 28 points. The Suns dominated the fast-break category, outscoring the Lakers 28-2 in that department.

Looking Ahead: Tough Schedule for Lakers

The Lakers now hold a 15-5 record as the season approaches its quarter mark. However, they face a challenging upcoming schedule that includes games against teams with winning records. The next four opponents for Los Angeles include tough matchups in Toronto, Boston, and Philadelphia over a span of four nights.

Redick emphasized the need for improvement in various aspects of the game, stating, “You got to look at everything, everything.” He highlighted the importance of refining team rotations and strategies to regain momentum.

As the Lakers regroup, the focus will be on minimizing turnovers and enhancing their defensive structure to avoid similar pitfalls in the future.