For most of the season, Luka Doncic was untouchable. He was the generational talent. The historic trade heist. The 26-year-old scoring machine averaging 32 a night and carrying the Los Angeles Lakers into the post-LeBron future.
But this week, something changed.
From franchise savior to scapegoat: Luka’s Lakers honeymoon is over
After dropping 41 points in a 113-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns, Doncic made franchise history with his ninth 40-point game of the season, joining elite company in Los Angeles Lakers history. And yet, the loudest takeaway wasn’t the scoring. It was the silence from his teammates.
Three-time champion Danny Green questioned whether those explosive nights are actually hurting the offense.
“We love these nights from Luka,” Green said, “but do we say take a little off to have more ball movement?”
“No, I think Luka is one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen in the history of the game, but I think he has losing habits. I think he has bad habits.”@RealJayWilliams on if he trusts Luka to lead a championship team 🏀 pic.twitter.com/HFMUWaa7dY
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 26, 2026
That sentiment is snowballing. The Lakers rank near the bottom of the league in passes per game and assist-generated points. And that’s with a team featuring Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves.
And it didn’t stop there. Former Coach of the Year Sam Mitchell questioned whether players even enjoy playing alongside Luka’s heliocentric style. Shannon Sharpe blasted the team’s defense in real time during the Suns loss. National voices like Chris Broussard, Colin Cowherd, and Jay Williams have openly questioned whether Doncic’s habits translate to championships.
Just a year ago, the conversation was about Luka inheriting the Lakers throne. Suddenly, it’s become about whether he’s holding the crown the wrong way.
His numbers are still unquestionably elite. But during this three-game skid, Doncic is averaging over 22 shots per game, while James and Reaves’ involvement has dipped noticeably. His plus/minus during the stretch is negative.
The moment that sterted this narrative shift came earlier this week, when Doncic passed up a potential game-winning look to James instead of taking the shot himself. The attempt missed, kicking off the debate: Is Luka too ball-dominant ?Not decisive enough late? Too focused on scoring? Too reliant on whistles?
The criticism is coming from every direction now – efficiency, defense, body language, leadership. And that’s new for Luka. The Lakers are still 10+ games over .500. Doncic is still putting up MVP-caliber numbers. But for the first time since arriving in Los Angeles, he isn’t being treated like the solution.
With a brutal stretch ahead, including matchups against the Warriors, Nuggets and Knicks, all eyes will be on Luka to see whether he adjusts before the playoffs force the issue.
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