Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley praised Luka Doncic as an MVP frontrunner, highlighting the heavy defensive attention he demands from opponents.
Luka Doncic continues to build his MVP case this season, and even opponents are taking notice. Jamahl Mosley, head coach of the Orlando Magic, shared strong praise for the Los Angeles Lakers guard ahead of and during their matchup.
Mosley stressed how difficult it is to defend Doncic and how much attention he draws from opposing defenses.
"Luka is having an MVP-type year, I think he's going to be the frontrunner in that regard," he said in a post-game press conference. "You're not going to do it with just one or two guys. That's got to be a five-man job every time he's on the floor. You've got to mix the coverages up."
"He's so smart. He understands what he's seeing out there. He gets his teammates involved the right way. And so I just think you've got to do it with multiple guys and being able to sit down and guard. But he's got to see a crowd all night long."
Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix
Despite the defensive focus, Doncic still produced strong numbers in the game. He finished with 33 points and 8 assists, showing his ability to impact the game as a scorer and playmaker even when not at his most efficient.
However, it was not a smooth outing for the Lakers star. Doncic struggled with his shot, going 12-for-30 from the field and 3-for-13 from three-point range. He also committed four turnovers and admitted after the game that his performance was not at his usual level.
The game also had a tense moment for Doncic, as he picked up his 16th technical foul after an exchange with Goga Bitadze, adding to a frustrating night overall.
Even with the uneven performance, Doncic continues to post elite season numbers. In 59 games played, he is averaging 33.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from three.
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