Luka Doncic’s defense used to be his biggest flaw. That is no secret to anyone who watches basketball. For years, he has dazzled on offense but often disappeared on the other end.
He has been known to be slow to rotate, late on closeouts, and sometimes just look checked out on that side of the floor. But that is changing, and fast.
Luka Doncic is transforming into a determined defender
This offseason, Doncic has committed to fixing the part of his game that critics hammered most. The result? A more energized, quicker, and focused defender who is finally starting to match his offensive brilliance with real impact on defense.
At EuroBasket 2025, Doncic has been putting his defense on display. In their recent game against Poland, he put forth a defensive clinic, shutting down his man with sharper footwork and showing a higher motor. He stayed glued to the perimeter, fought through screens, and displayed the kind of effort and awareness that had often been missing from his NBA games.
Luka playing elite defense 👀 pic.twitter.com/fXCBK7gIdL
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 28, 2025
It was a statement performance, one that sent a clear message: Doncic is serious about defense now. This transformation is not just physical. Doncic has worked hard on his conditioning and lateral quickness, but perhaps even more important is the mental shift.
He now understands that being a true franchise leader means showing up on both ends of the floor. It is no longer enough to score and create; defense matters, especially for a team with real championship aspirations.
The Los Angeles Lakers have built a team around Doncic with this in mind. Adding a veteran defender like Marcus Smart helps to create an environment that demands defensive accountability.
Last season, Lakers head coach JJ Redick’s system tried its best to reinforce those principles. He pushed Doncic to stay engaged for all 48 minutes; now he might finally be able to.
During contract talks, Doncic himself even assisted in recruiting Smart once he was bought out by the Washington Wizards, as a chance to improve his own defense. That is not just lip service; it is a sign of a player who recognizes his weaknesses and is determined to improve.
If Doncic is able to keep this up, the Lakers do not just have an offensive superstar; they will have a legitimate two-way star capable of carrying the team deep into the playoffs. In an absolutely loaded Western Conference, that kind of player is priceless.
There is still work to do. A couple of solid games in the EuroBasket tournament do not erase years of habits, and an NBA season is a grind. But if Doncic can maintain this defensive intensity over 82 games, the Lakers suddenly look a lot more dangerous.