Luka Doncic addressed a late-game decision that stunned fans during the Los Angeles Lakers loss to theOrlando Magic, admitting hesitation crept in at the worst possible moment.
With LA trailing 110-109, Doncic shook free using a screen from Deandre Ayton and received the inbounds pass well beyond the arc, balanced and momentarily uncovered as the clock dipped under seven seconds.
“I know I was open, but I just thought I was a little bit far,” Doncic admitted. “Tried to take one dribble closer.” That split-second recalibration allowed defenders to recover and erase the shooting window.
As he gathered, long arms from Anthony Black and Jonathan Isaac closed in, forcing Doncic to abandon the attempt and redirect the ball instead of launching the potential winner.
He ultimately passed to LeBron James, who created space for a deep, fading three that struck glass and rim but would not fall, sealing a defeat that felt avoidable given the initial advantage.
“I just saw him open and I didn’t want to lose the ball,” Doncic said. “We didn’t have timeouts. [But] I shouldn’t have picked up the ball. I should have attacked. That’s on me.”
Magic hand Lakers latest setback
The decisive play followed a late swing when Wendell Carter Jr. converted a putback with 6.7 seconds left, capitalizing on a defensive lapse after Paolo Banchero missed a pull-up attempt.
James later defended the sequence, suggesting the design worked even if the execution faltered as he backed his teammate.
“I’m not sure, obviously you have to ask Luka what he saw on that,” LeBron said. “But I thought he had a good look.
“Didn’t have a rhythm with the ball, whatever the case may be. And it kinda allowed them to get back in front of him.
“And I was kind of off-balance when he gave it to me. I thought he had a great look.”
Earlier, a missed free throw by James and a go-ahead three from Desmond Bane shifted momentum, erasing what had been a double-digit L.A. cushion and ending a perfect record when leading after three quarters.
Despite the loss, Doncic’s broader performance was productive: 15 assists, just two turnovers, but inefficient shooting that may have contributed to his hesitation. L.A. now faces a quick turnaround against the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors.
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