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HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 18: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers have started playing their best basketball late in the season. LA has won 10 of its last 11 games. Luka Doncic continues to crush it late in games. Against the Rockets, he finished the game with 40 points and had a huge fourth quarter.
Last week, the Lakers beat the Bulls, thanks to a massive fourth quarter from Doncic. Doncic mentioned that he was fueled for that game after Matas Buzelis started talking some trash to him. Buzelis seemed to regret that right after the game.
Against the Rockets, Doncic had another strong performance. This time, it wasn’t another player that set him off; it was the fans.
Los Angeles Lakers Star Luka Doncic Fueled by Trash-Talking Fans
After the game, Doncic was asked if the fans he was talking to set him off in the fourth quarter. He let them know it got him going way before that.
Here’s Luka on his trash talk with fans courtside after clutch late buckets.
"Some guys talking crazy, showing me his … never mind. [I responded] in English, make sure he understands."
Did the trash talk set him off in the 4th?
"Nah, first quarter after I missed like first… https://t.co/Wjz07NQseu pic.twitter.com/h4CjMNAnvO
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) March 19, 2026
“Some guys talking crazy, showing me his … never mind. It was in English, I made sure he understands.”
Then Doncic was asked if that’s what set him off in the fourth quarter.
“Nah, first quarter after I missed like the first four shots, then he started talking. I heard him, so it was in the first quarter.”
After what happened with Buzelis, fans and players alike should have realized not to talk trash to Doncic. He clearly uses it for fuel and was able to use it to crush the Rockets. Doncic had 30 points before the fourth quarter even started. Houston had no answer for him.
Over the last 11 games, the Lakers have the third-best offense in the NBA. They clearly have figured something out in regards to Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves all playing together. James had 30 points in this game, as well.
Luka Doncic Could Carry Los Angeles to the Finals
The Lakers sit third in the Western Conference Finals. With how well Doncic is playing, the Lakers have a real shot to win the West. Oklahoma City and San Antonio are the two best teams in the league, but LA would only have to play one of them to advance to the Finals.
Staying healthy is the most important thing for the Lakers over the final dozen or so games. This is the healthiest they have been all season long. Keeping Their starting lineup healthy is more important than the bench guys, especially because James and Reaves have missed significant chunks of the season already.
This is the last time that the Lakers will have a shot to win a title with James on the roster. He will likely be gone after this season, as he has a player option with his contract at the end of the year. He likely will choose to play for a different team for his last season in the NBA.
If players or opposing fans keep talking trash to Doncic, there’s a chance that he can carry the team to the Finals. He’s already carried one franchise to the Finals in his career.