"Well, finally..." It's finally happened – Dončić earns praise for his defense: Drops 45 points, but that was only part of the magic /VIDEO/

Pulse Sports Team 10:50 - 02 November 2026

The basketball world is once again marveling at Luka Dončić's brilliance following his masterclass in the clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Toronto Raptors.

The Slovenian superstar delivered an offensive masterclass, dropping 45 points on 12-of-23 shooting from the floor, including eight three-pointers. He rounded out a monstrous stat line with 15 rebounds and six assists, but his defensive impact was just as impressive.

Recording five steals and drawing three offensive fouls, Dončić caught the eye of center Walker Kessler and head coach JJ Redick. Both showered him with praise for his hustle, prompting a witty response from Dončić:

"Well, finally," Dončić quipped with a smile.

Kessler emphasized that the broader basketball public unfairly overlooks the team's top star on the defensive end:

"Luka Dončić doesn't get enough credit for his defense. He is an exceptionally high-IQ basketball player. His positional defense and ability to be in the right place at the right time are truly great, and that was on full display in this game," the center said.

Coach Redick echoed that sentiment, explaining how impactful Dončić's commitment on his own half has been since the start of the campaign:

"He was fantastic defensively. His ball pressure throughout this opening stretch of games has been at a very high level, especially in keeping his man in front of him. He also communicates exceptionally well on defense. Drawing charges is pure leadership—you're literally laying your body on the line for the team's success. He wants to win at all costs and is incredibly competitive on the defensive end as well," the head coach pointed out.