Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers
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Luka Doncic #77 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers react during a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The final possession of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 110–109 loss to the Orlando Magic may have lasted only a few chaotic seconds, but its significance continues to reverberate across the league.
A miscommunication between Luka Dončić and LeBron James on the Lakers’ final play Tuesday night has become the latest — and perhaps most glaring — example of why the star pairing may not survive beyond this season.
Speaking on Wednesday on Get Up, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said the moment crystallized a deeper issue that has plagued the Lakers all season.
MacMahon: Dončić’s Hesitation Was the Telltale Sign
“When you zoom in on that moment, it revealed a shocking lack of confidence from Luka Dončić,” MacMahon said. “There are many reasons critics have pointed to when evaluating Dončić, but a lack of confidence has rarely been one of them.”
MacMahon noted that the only comparable moment came early in Dončić’s time with the Dallas Mavericks after the team traded for Kyrie Irving, when Dončić deferred too much before the duo eventually found its rhythm.
“[Luka and Kyrie] clicked the next year,” MacMahon said. “They were a great closing duo. They went to the Finals. This situation is different.”
Nearly a year after Dončić’s blockbuster move to Los Angeles, MacMahon argued that meaningful chemistry between Dončić and James has yet to materialize.
“In the big picture, that’s the problem,” he said. “LeBron and Luka are an awkward fit.”
Numbers Paint a Bleak Picture
MacMahon pointed to advanced metrics that underscore the concern.
“The Lakers are minus-82 this season with those two on the floor together,” MacMahon said. “That is the worst plus-minus of any Lakers pairing.”
While defensive struggles were expected — particularly with Dončić sharing the floor with a player in his 40s — MacMahon said the offensive data is far more troubling.
“The Lakers are a bottom-five offensive team when Luka and LeBron are on the floor together,” he said. “That tells you this is a duo that has no kind of chemistry.”
Final Play Breakdown: Both Stars Own the Moment
James initially deferred blame after the loss, saying he believed Dončić had a clean look before hesitation allowed Orlando’s defense to recover.
“I thought he had a good look, and it looked like he kind of just lost his balance,” James said. “I thought he had a great look. That’s my POV.”
Dončić, however, placed the responsibility squarely on himself.
“I know I was open, but I just thought I was a little bit far,” Dončić said. “Tried to take one dribble closer. And I probably shouldn’t have picked up the ball and just tried to attack.”
Dončić finished the game shooting 2-of-10 from three-point range but recorded a game-high 15 assists, a context that may have influenced his decision-making in the moment.
“I just saw him open, and I didn’t want to lose the ball,” Dončić said. “We didn’t have timeouts. But I shouldn’t have picked up the ball. I should have attacked. That’s on me.”
The possession ended with James forced into a contested turnaround jumper at the buzzer — a low-percentage shot emblematic of a partnership still searching for clarity.
An Offseason Decision Looms
James, 41, is playing on an expiring $52.6 million contract, and multiple league insiders have indicated that the expectation is the Lakers will move on from the 21-time All-Star after the season as they pivot fully toward Dončić as the franchise cornerstone.
For now, the Lakers remain caught between eras — relying on James’ legacy while attempting to build around Dončić’s prime.
Tuesday’s final play, and the reaction it sparked, may have offered the clearest signal yet that the experiment has reached its inflection point — and that one of the NBA’s most ambitious pairings may be nearing its end.