Doncic Scores 34 Points to Extend Lakers Streak: “Keep Doing What We Are Doing”

Luka Doncic Leads the Way as Lakers Extend Winning Run Without LeBron James

There are nights when Luka Doncic simply bends a game to his will, and Sunday at crypto.com Arena felt like one of those evenings. With LeBron James back on the injury list and the Lakers needing someone to steady the ship, it was Doncic who stepped forward with a commanding performance, powering the Los Angeles Lakers to a 133–121 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. The victory marked the Lakers’ seventh consecutive win, pushing their record to 15–4 and reinforcing the idea that this team—new pieces, new coach, new identity—might be finding something real.

What stood out even more was the way Doncic set the tone early. Twenty points in the first quarter alone, with that familiar mix of step-backs, floaters, hesitation drives, and those slow-motion sequences in which defenders know exactly what’s coming yet still can’t stop it. By the final buzzer, the 26-year-old Slovenian star had delivered 33 points, 17 rebounds, seven assists, a block, and a steal in 35 minutes. It was a statline that felt casual for him, but monumental for everyone else.

And afterward, when asked about the streak and the rhythm the team is building, Doncic kept it simple.

“We only won by 12, but those games are kind of hard,” he said with a small shrug. “The lesson is to keep doing what we are doing. It is seven in a row, so keep doing what we are doing.”

He said it twice. That’s usually Luka-speak for: we’re not overthinking this.

Luka Dončić, bien plus que l’un des meilleurs joueurs de la ligue — NIKE, Inc.

A Win That Felt Like a Statement—Even If the Lakers Won’t Say It Out Loud

The Lakers didn’t blow New Orleans out of the gym. The Pelicans hung around, pushed back, and had their moments. But at no point did it feel like Los Angeles lost control. A big part of that came down to ball security. Under JJ Redick, the Lakers have talked a lot about valuing possessions, tightening execution, and avoiding the sloppy stretches that killed them in previous seasons.

Against the Pelicans? Only eight turnovers.

That’s not just improvement. It’s identity building.

“That probably starts with me,” Doncic admitted. “I got to take care of the ball better. In some games, we have a lot of turnovers. Today was a lot better.”

It’s rare to hear a superstar blame himself after a win, especially one in which he nearly posted a 30–15–10 line, but it’s also the kind of accountability that tends to rub off on teammates.

And that’s the quiet strength of this current Lakers group: they don’t sound satisfied, even after stretching their win streak to seven.

Life Without LeBron: A Familiar Story, But With a Different Tone

LeBron James’ latest return to the injury list—this time due to a sore left foot—wasn’t unexpected. At 40 years old and in his 23rd NBA season, every back-to-back is a strategic conversation, every missed game a reminder of the balance between longevity and competitiveness.

But what’s different this season is that the Lakers don’t look panicked without him.

The ball moves. The spacing holds up. The pace stays consistent. And Doncic, who’s no stranger to carrying massive offensive loads, seems uniquely comfortable being the stabilizing force when LeBron sits.

It’s early, of course, and no one in Los Angeles is pretending they can contend without LeBron playing heavy minutes when it matters. But the sustainability of the Doncic-led offense—structured, patient, punishing—feels like a promising sign heading deeper into the season.

Maxi Kleber, returning to the rotation, logged 13 minutes off the bench, adding two points and a rebound. Limited contributions, yes, but Redick appears committed to keeping his rotation stable, even when dealing with injuries.

The Pelicans’ European Absence and Struggles Continue

On the other side, the Pelicans continue to wrestle with inconsistency. The absence of Karlo Matkovic, who remained sidelined with a right calf strain, left New Orleans without its only European rotational piece. Though not a high-usage player, Matkovic’s size and activity could have helped against a Lakers team that dominated the glass, led by Doncic’s 17 boards.

New Orleans has flashes of brilliance—spurts where they look like the explosive, unpredictable group that many expected to take a leap this season. But they just haven’t been able to sustain it. Against a locked-in Lakers squad, that inconsistency was obvious.

They traded baskets, but they never truly threatened.

The Lakers’ Offensive Rhythm Is Starting to Look Real

Seven wins in a row don’t happen by accident. And while “streaks” can sometimes be deceptive, what the Lakers have shown during this run feels built on a foundation that isn’t going to crumble the moment adversity hits.

One of the clearest indicators? Sharing the ball even when Luka is cooking.

The Lakers’ spacing has improved dramatically. The corner threes are falling. The transition game is cleaner. And when Doncic draws help—as defenses inevitably commit to doing—the outlets are ready.

Redick’s emphasis on simplicity is paying off. The Lakers aren’t running dozens of set plays. They aren’t reinventing the wheel. They’re leaning into principles: space, timing, and trust.

Even with LeBron out, even with the rotation not at full strength, the offense feels functional. Predictable in a good way. Efficient without being boring.

Luka Dončić | Forward-Guard | Los Angeles Lakers | NBA.com

What This Win Says About the Lakers—and What It Doesn’t

If you’re the type of fan who loves reading into “messages” and “statements,” then Sunday’s win offers plenty to chew on. A LeBron-less victory over a capable Pelicans team, powered by a superstar who’s starting to look like an MVP candidate? Sure—there’s material there.

But inside the Lakers locker room, the message wasn’t about dominance. It wasn’t about proving anything. It was exactly what Doncic repeated: keep doing what we are doing.

Seven in a row doesn’t crown a season. Fifteen wins don’t guarantee anything. But what these games are showing is that this Lakers team is settling into a rhythm. And teams with rhythm, confidence, and internal accountability tend to hang around in the playoff picture longer than expected.

Doncic knows it. Redick knows it. And even LeBron, watching from the sideline, has probably seen enough to believe this group has something worth nurturing.

A Long Season Ahead—but the Lakers Have a Direction

The 2025–26 NBA season is still in its early chapters. Injuries will come. Rotations will shift. Shooting slumps will hit. Schedules will tighten. But right now, in early winter, the Lakers look like a team that has found its stride earlier than most.

Doncic’s message may sound simple, but sometimes simplicity is the point.

Keep doing what we are doing.

And if what they’re doing continues to look like this? Seven straight might just be the beginning.