Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic didn’t hold back when discussing his team’s chemistry and his own struggles after a hard-fought victory against the New Orleans Pelicans . The win was critical for the Lakers, who are fighting to secure their playoff position in a tightly contested Western Conference.
Luka Doncic describes first-quarter struggles as "worst quarter of my life"
The game didn’t start smoothly for Luka Doncic, who went 0/7 from the field in the first quarter. Despite the rough opening, he turned things around to finish with an impressive stat line.
- Final stats: 35 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds
- Shooting splits: 48% FG, 40% 3PT, 100% FT
"It was probably the worst quarter in my life," Doncic admitted. "I just knew that was a must-win game, so I needed to get better. We need to win, that’s all that matters... Win all the games that we can. Win the game. That’s it."
Los Angeles Lakers' chemistry still a work in progress
Since joining the Lakers, Luka Doncic hasn’t had much time to fully integrate with the team due to a hectic schedule filled with road games and limited practice sessions.
Key challenges for team chemistry:
- Frequent travel limiting practice time
- Adjusting to new teammates and playstyles
- High-pressure playoff race leaving little room for error
"It’s still a work in progress," Doncic said. "We haven’t had many practices together. But I think we’re getting more comfortable."
Why the Pelicans game was a must-win for the Los Angeles Lakers
With critical matchups against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets looming, the Lakers couldn’t afford to drop games against lower-ranked opponents.
Upcoming challenges:
- Oklahoma City Thunder (playoff contender)
- Houston Rockets (fighting for play-in spot)
- Every loss risks dropping in the standings
Friday’s win wasn’t just another game—it was a necessary step to keep playoff hopes alive. Doncic’s resilience after a slow start proved crucial in securing the victory.
Also read: LeBron James faces social media backlash over pregame outfit ahead of crucial Lakers-Warriors clash - "Farmer Bron with his hoodie on!"
What’s next for the Los Angeles Lakers?
The Lakers will need Doncic to maintain his high-level performances as they push for a stronger playoff seed. With limited time to build chemistry, each game becomes an opportunity to grow as a unit.
As the regular season winds down, the Lakers’ ability to gel quickly could determine whether they make a deep playoff run or face an early exit. For now, Doncic’s focus remains simple: win every possible game.
Luka Doncic describes first-quarter struggles as "worst quarter of my life"
The game didn’t start smoothly for Luka Doncic, who went 0/7 from the field in the first quarter. Despite the rough opening, he turned things around to finish with an impressive stat line.
- Final stats: 35 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds
- Shooting splits: 48% FG, 40% 3PT, 100% FT
"It was probably the worst quarter in my life," Doncic admitted. "I just knew that was a must-win game, so I needed to get better. We need to win, that’s all that matters... Win all the games that we can. Win the game. That’s it."
Los Angeles Lakers' chemistry still a work in progress
Luka on the Lakers' chemistry: "It's still a work in progress. We haven't had many practices together. But I think we're getting more comfortable."
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) April 5, 2025
Since joining the Lakers, Luka Doncic hasn’t had much time to fully integrate with the team due to a hectic schedule filled with road games and limited practice sessions.
Key challenges for team chemistry:
- Frequent travel limiting practice time
- Adjusting to new teammates and playstyles
- High-pressure playoff race leaving little room for error
"It’s still a work in progress," Doncic said. "We haven’t had many practices together. But I think we’re getting more comfortable."
Why the Pelicans game was a must-win for the Los Angeles Lakers
With critical matchups against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets looming, the Lakers couldn’t afford to drop games against lower-ranked opponents.
Upcoming challenges:
- Oklahoma City Thunder (playoff contender)
- Houston Rockets (fighting for play-in spot)
- Every loss risks dropping in the standings
Friday’s win wasn’t just another game—it was a necessary step to keep playoff hopes alive. Doncic’s resilience after a slow start proved crucial in securing the victory.
Also read: LeBron James faces social media backlash over pregame outfit ahead of crucial Lakers-Warriors clash - "Farmer Bron with his hoodie on!"
What’s next for the Los Angeles Lakers?
The Lakers will need Doncic to maintain his high-level performances as they push for a stronger playoff seed. With limited time to build chemistry, each game becomes an opportunity to grow as a unit.
As the regular season winds down, the Lakers’ ability to gel quickly could determine whether they make a deep playoff run or face an early exit. For now, Doncic’s focus remains simple: win every possible game.
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