Luka Doncic: Lakers Could’ve Matched Pistons’ Physicality Better

The Los Angeles Lakers ended 2025 with yet another blowout loss, this time to the Detroit Pistons. Luka Doncic led the way with 30 points and 11 assists and the Lakers stuck with Detroit for most of three quarters before getting dominated in the fourth as things fell apart.

The Pistons own the best record in the Eastern Conference on the back of an extremely physical style of play, one that the Pistons franchise is traditionally known for. And while Doncic feels the Lakers played well for three quarters, they just didn’t match Detroit’s physicality as well as they could have.

“It could have been better for sure,” Luka said after the loss. “I think in the fourth quarter, I think we were playing great basketball for three quarters and then they just went on an insane run. So, I think we played good basketball for three quarters. We gotta definitely match their physicality. That’s the whole point. We gotta match how they play and see the refs let it go. We should play with more physicality for sure.”

A three-point play from Doncic tied the game at 79 with 5:47 left in the third quarter, but it was all downhill from there as the Pistons pushed the lead back to eight by the end of the quarter and quickly moved it into double-digits just a couple minutes into the fourth.

“Yeah, I think we just let off on the rope a little bit,” Doncic added. “Like I said, I think we played good basketball for three quarters, physical basketball and then we just kind of let go of the rope.”

The Pistons had 74 points in the paint to just 44 for the Lakers while also having 31 fast break points. The Pistons have a roster full of young, physical, athletic players and Luka feels the Lakers just didn’t match them.

“Yeah, they were playing physical. Like I said, we’ve got to match that physically.”

It has unfortunately been a familiar theme for the Lakers throughout this rough stretch of the season and one that Luka and many others have spoken about. The fight and energy of this Lakers team can not afford to dip and they just couldn’t quite muster enough to stick with one of the best teams in the NBA.

Lakers’ Luka Doncic admits he had ‘too many turnovers’ vs. Pistons

Another issue for the Lakers in the loss to the Pistons was an inability to take care of the ball. Doncic had eight of the team’s 20 turnovers and he admitted that was far too many.