Redick praises dominant Doncic as short‑handed Lakers stay strong

Luka Doncic delivered a commanding performance to lift the Lakers past the Indiana Pacers 128–117, despite the absences of LeBron James and Deandre Ayton. The Slovenian star erupted for 44 points—his tenth 40‑plus outing of the season—adding seven threes, nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks. After the game, JJ Redick highlighted how decisively Doncic shaped the contest, noting that he “imposed his will early” and punished elite defenders with difficult shot‑making. Los Angeles shot 53% from the field and 46% from deep, with Redick praising Doncic’s poise against double‑teams and Luke Kennard’s continued offensive impact.

Austin Reaves contributed 19 points, earning compliments for his resilience after a slow start. Redick emphasized Doncic’s versatility as both scorer and creator, dismissing claims of favorable officiating. Looking ahead, he welcomed a demanding schedule as a test of the team’s growth. The win pushes the Lakers to 38–25, while Indiana suffers its eighth straight loss.