Luka Doncic is shooting 31.1 percent from beyond the arc through 12 appearances with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025-26. To make matters worse, he's attempting to shoot his way through his slump with an admittedly unreasonable 11.0 three-point field goal attempts per game.
Despite the valid nature of the criticism he's received for [his shortcomings as a three-point shooter](https://lakeshowlife.com/lakers-most-glaring-flaw-somehow-reason-true-contenders), Doncic is reaching an entirely new level on defense and within the arc.
Doncic is currently averaging a career-best 34.5 points per game, which has him on pace to win a second scoring title in three years. He's also producing averages of 8.9 assists and 8.8 rebounds, thus further cementing his status as [one of the most well-rounded players](https://lakeshowlife.com/thrilling-trade-rumor-perfect-luka-doncic-complement-lakers-radar) in the NBA.
Furthermore, Doncic is shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 79.3 percent at the free throw line, thus dispelling the myth that he's been generally inefficient.
The key to Doncic's success has been a captivating effort to attack the basket with endless intent. That's been a staple of his game since long before he arrived in the NBA, but an increased attention to detail on defense has spurned even greater results.
Not only is Doncic getting downhill at virtual will, but he's creating turnovers at a career-best rate and turning defense into offense.
Luka Doncic dominating within the arc, finding new life on defense
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Doncic is currently averaging a career-best 2.0 steals per game. It's a continuation of the trend that saw him increase his average from 1.4 steals per contest in 2023-24 to 1.8 in 2024-25, as well as a reflection of how much more focused he is on defending at an adequate level.
In addition to coming up with steals, Doncic currently ranks second on the Lakers in deflections, charges drawn, and loose balls recovered.
The statistics reveal what the film has displayed: Doncic is far more engaged on defense than his reputation suggested he'd be. He's still prone to allowing offensive players to get by him with a bit too much ease, but he's competing away from the ball and taking a more active approach when on it.
That's resulted in Doncic forcing opponents to shoot 6.1 percent worse on three-point field goals when he's the primary defender.
On the other end of the floor, Doncic has been just as active in playing an advantageous style. On a per-game basis, he ranks No. 4 in the NBA in points via drives despite being No. 11 in drives and No. 10 in field goal attempts via drives.
Doncic is shooting an absurd 64.9 percent on drives, which is at least 6.9 percent higher than any of the other players in the top 10 in attempts.
Overall, he's shooting a career-best 61.4 percent on two-point field goals. That includes marks of 62.1 percent from 5-to-9 feet away from the basket, 55.1 percent from 10-to-14 feet, and an outrageous 83.8 percent within five feet of the rim.
Doncic clearly needs to improve his jumper and general shot selection from beyond the arc, but what he's doing on defense and on two-point attempts is nothing short of elite.