“It Doesn’t Matter”: Lakers Star Luka Doncic’s Candid Reaction Following Uncommon Playoff Achievement

Luka Doncic is determined not to let his own impressive performances eclipse the achievements of his team as he prepares to focus on the next challenge in the playoffs.

In the Lakers’ second encounter of the first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Doncic recorded 31 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists.

This achievement marked only the third instance in the franchise’s history where a player has scored 30 or more points in their first two playoff matches for the Lakers.

The only other players to achieve this milestone are Shaquille O’Neal and George Mikan.

Yet, Doncic’s eyes remain set on capturing the ultimate prize.

“It’s nice, but it doesn’t matter,” he remarked when questioned about his personal contributions. “Whether I score 30 or 10, we’ve got to win, no matter what. This isn’t about individual accolades; it’s about the team. Winning is what counts.”

“Everyone on the team played a role. It’s not just about individual skill, it’s about the entire team effort. We put in a strong performance from the get-go. We played tough, and that’s how we need to approach every game,” he added.

Doncic will join his teammates at the Target Centre for Game 3 on Saturday (AEST), where they will prepare to tune out the Minnesota home crowd.

“It’s going to be tough,” Doncic acknowledged. “Their fans are incredible… but we have to remain focused. It’s us against them.”

After suffering a 22-point defeat to Minnesota in Game 1, the Los Angeles Lakers rallied to equal the series with a 94-85 win in Game 2 on Wednesday.

LeBron James contributed 21 points, and Austin Reaves added 16 for the third-seed Lakers, who made a strong recovery from their heavy loss by establishing an early 22-point lead and maintaining control in a tough match against the sixth-seeded Timberwolves.

Julius Randle scored 27 points, while Anthony Edwards netted 25 for the Timberwolves, who found it challenging to replicate their offensive rhythm from their commanding opening win.

James also recorded 11 rebounds and seven assists for the Lakers, who maintained their grip on the game despite the contest featuring 46 combined personal fouls and numerous video reviews.

Both James and Rui Hachimura endured hard blows to the face, with Hachimura opting to don a mask for the second half.

The Timberwolves set a franchise record by hitting 21 three-pointers during their 117-95 win in Game 1, even with Doncic scoring 37 points.

Los Angeles responded with a more committed defensive approach and another standout performance from Doncic, whilst Minnesota struggled to regain their offensive flow until the fourth quarter.

The Lakers surged to a 19-point lead in the first quarter of Game 2, with Doncic scoring 16 points by exploiting isolations against centre Rudy Gobert.

James’ first three-pointer pushed the Lakers ahead 43-21 in the second quarter.

Los Angeles maintained an 83-65 advantage at the beginning of the fourth, but Minnesota narrowed their deficit to nine points while the Lakers experienced a seven-minute drought without a field goal. However, the Wolves ultimately fell short in their efforts to close the gap.