Unlike the blowout loss in Atlanta last Saturday, it appeared the Lakers were at least mentally prepared to compete against the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. The problem in the 121-92 loss was that they simply could not keep up. Reigning most valuable player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 points on 10 for 18 shooting with nine assists. The Lakers' own MVP hopeful Luka Doncic had 19 points, making just seven of 20 shots with seven assists and four turnovers.
Doncic matched his career high for steals in a regular-season game Wednesday. The guard averaging 40 points per game claimed his defense was the only thing he did well on a night when he finished one rebound short of a triple-double. While collecting 35 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds, he was an inefficient nine-for-27 from the field and four-for-11 from three.
A frustrated Ja Morant told reporters to "go ask the coaching staff" about his struggles during the Memphis Grizzlies' 117-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. Morant was held to a season-low eight points, going 3-of-14 from the field, and seven assists. Asked about what he noticed in the game, Morant was again terse. "According to them, probably don't play me, honestly," Morant said. "That's basically what the message was. It's cool."
Amid a very busy year -- a stunning trade and max contract extension, playoffs in a new city and EuroBasket competition -- Luka Doncic achieved an under-the-radar accomplishment in 2025. Thanks to a host of happy Los Angeles Lakers fans celebrating their new star, Doncic had the highest-selling jersey in the NBA, breaking an 11-year run where LeBron James or Stephen Curry's jersey sales led the league. A decade removed from the start of Curry's and James' Finals clashes, the NBA is still largely defined by those living legends, now 37 and 40 years old, respectively. It's not just the jersey sales, though they ranked second and third, respectively, behind Doncic.
NBA star Luka Dončić has dropped eight figures to add an athlete-approved abode to his real estate portfolio. The Slovenian basketball player bought tennis champ Maria Sharapova's customized Manhattan Beach, California, mansion for $25 million. Dončić, who was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers last season, reportedly signed a three-year extension for $165 million with the team. He closed on the off-market sale at the end of August through a trust tied to his brand manager, Lara Beth Seager.
