Lakers Keep Rolling Behind Luka Doncic, With Reasons for Optimism: 3 Takeaways

Turnovers Show Improvement

Turnovers have been a concern for the Lakers, including from backcourt players Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Doncic is averaging 5.1 turnovers per game, while Reaves is averaging 4.1 after Wednesday’s win.

Against Sacramento, Los Angeles committed 12 turnovers and scored 23 points off the Kings’ miscues, compared with eight for Sacramento. The result is a positive step, though the article cautions that the Kings’ struggles make the game an imperfect measure of progress.

The Lakers face Portland on Friday, then visit Cade Cunningham’s Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday. Those games will offer tougher opportunities to assess whether the team has improved in this area.

Kessler Makes Defensive Mark

Walker Kessler’s value has been clearest on defense, despite questions about his offense beyond catching lobs. The 25-year-old is not a polished post scorer, does not shoot jumpers and does not stretch the floor, but his defensive impact has stood out.

Against the Kings, Kessler recorded 15 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and three steals. He is averaging 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 1.3 steals and 1.1 assists, while shooting 71.8% from the field.

The Lakers acquired Kessler in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz that cost two first-round draft picks. As he grows more comfortable with the team, his defensive contributions are helping explain the role Los Angeles sought for him.

Doncic Leads the Way

Doncic finished with 40 points, nine rebounds and seven assists against Sacramento, including six three-pointers. It was his third straight game scoring 40 or more points. The 27-year-old has scored 308 points across his first eight games of the season, the most by a player in that span since Wilt Chamberlain scored 418 in 1962-63. The article also notes that Doncic has reached a statistical combination of 40-plus points, five-plus rebounds, five-plus assists and five-plus three-pointers more often before age 28 than several all-time greats combined.

If he stays healthy, Doncic could be on course for a historic season, according to the article. His production is a major reason the Lakers have started the campaign with seven wins in nine games.