The Los Angeles Lakers extended their hot start to the 2025-26 season on Wednesday night, edging the San Antonio Spurs 118-116 for their fifth consecutive win. While Luka Doncic once again carried the scoring and playmaking load, it was his defensive performance that stunned both fans and teammates — particularly Marcus Smart.
Smart, who finished with 17 points, five rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block while shooting 10-for-10 from the free-throw line in 34 minutes, had a priceless reaction when told of Doncic’s defensive stat line. In a video posted by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on X, formerly known as Twitter, Smart’s disbelief quickly turned into celebration.
“Luka had what? Five steals, two blocks… what?!” Smart exclaimed before adding, “Luka! Five steals, two blocks, baby I see you! DPOY baby!”
Marcus Smart was utterly shocked to hear that Luka Doncic had five steals and two blocked shots in the win over San Antonio. “Luka had what??” pic.twitter.com/VqYl2REDwC
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 6, 2025
Doncic’s performance was one for the record books. The 26-year-old star tallied 35 points, 13 assists, nine rebounds, five steals, and two blocks while shooting 9-for-27 from the field, 4-for-11 from beyond the arc, and 13-for-17 from the line in 42 minutes. According to the NBA, Doncic became the first Laker to record at least 35 points, 10 assists, and five steals in a regular-season game since the league began tracking steals in 1973-74.
LUKA MAGIC IN FULL EFFECT TONIGHT:
🪄 35 PTS
🪄 9 REB
🪄 13 AST
🪄 5 STL
🪄 2 BLK
🪄 4 3PM
The first Laker to record 35+ PTS, 10+ AST, and 5+ STL in a regular season game since 1973-74 (when steals were first fully recorded)! pic.twitter.com/lZ37EcKSl3
— NBA (@NBA) November 6, 2025
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Luka Doncic’s historic start powered the shorthanded Lakers past the Spurs
Beyond that, Doncic continued to set statistical marks rarely seen in league history. Per OPTAStats, he became the first player ever to score or assist on more than 310 points through the first five games of a season. His 205 total points across that span also rank as the third-highest in NBA history for a player’s first five games, surpassing Michael Jordan.
Through the Lakers’ first nine contests, Doncic has been dominant on both ends, averaging 40 points, 11 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and two steals per game while shooting 50% from the field and 30.5% from three. His consistency has fueled Los Angeles’ best start since the 2019-20 campaign — a season that ended with an NBA championship.
What makes the Lakers’ early surge even more impressive is the adversity they’ve faced. LeBron James remains sidelined with a sciatica injury and is expected to return later this month, while Austin Reaves has missed the last two games. Doncic himself missed four contests earlier in the season, yet the Lakers’ depth and balanced contributions from players like Smart, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton have kept them rolling.
Los Angeles improved to 7-2 with Wednesday’s win and will now begin a five-game road trip starting Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks (4-4) at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBA TV. The trip concludes on November 15 against the Milwaukee Bucks, marking another key stretch for a team that continues to prove its resilience — and that even Luka Doncic’s defense can make Marcus Smart do a double take.