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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: Rui Hachimura #28 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 24, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: Rui Hachimura #28 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 24, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

Rui Hachimura & Marcus Smart Praises Luka Doncic’s Defense

Originally posted on Lakers Nation | By Matt Peralta | Last updated Nov 7, 2025 10:02 AM ET

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has been on a tear to start the 2025-26 season, leading the team to a 7-2 record.

Doncic was instrumental in the Lakers’ most recent win, a thrilling comeback against the San Antonio Spurs where he dropped a near triple-double while scoring 35 points. Doncic has been a scoring machine throughout the early part of the regular season and against the Spurs he piled up points with a variety of shots at the rim and free throws.

However, the more impressive part about Doncic’s game has been his effort on the defensive end. So far, Doncic has been far better defensively compared to last year and it has helped power Los Angeles to its strong start. He tied a career-high with five steals against the Spurs and also added two blocks.

Rui Hachimura has seen up close how different Doncic looks defensively and he credited the Lakers star for taking it upon himself to be more of a leader on that end of the floor.

“You said Luka? Luka? No yeah, he’s trying to be more vocal compared to last year,” Hachimura said. “I can see him being vocal on defense. He’s trying to be more physical, more aggressive. That’s why he almost fouled out, literally. I’ve never seen him like that, but he’s trying to be more aggressive and that’s what we need from him too. He’s taking it, so it’s been great.”

Aside from Hachimura, Marcus Smart was also shocked to learn how many steals and blocks Doncic recorded, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN:

Marcus Smart was utterly shocked to hear that Luka Doncic had five steals and two blocked shots in the win over San Antonio. “Luka had what??” pic.twitter.com/VqYl2REDwC

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 6, 2025

The scoring was expected from Doncic, but his ability to impact the defensively is a large reason why the Lakers are sitting in such a favorable position despite missing LeBron James.

There were times last season where Doncic was a step slow to the basketball or failed to make the extra rotation, but this year he is playing with much more effort and force. Hachimura was used to guard Victory Wembanyama most of the night, and Doncic was around to help with the assignment.

If Doncic can continue to play defense at this level, then the Lakers will be in much better position to hold onto its spot in the playoff race.

Luka Doncic enjoying playing with Lakers roster

The Lakers’ free agent signings of Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia have panned out as well as anyone could have hoped, rounding out a solid roster around Luka Doncic. In fact, Doncic said he has enjoyed playing with the current squad so far.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Lakers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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