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Beginning a four-game stretch away from home, after participating in six games within a span of less than two weeks, the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Orlando Magic, 118-106, on Monday.
During his 38 minutes on the court at the Kia Center, Luka Doncic recorded 32 points with a shooting line of 9-of-23. He also contributed seven assists, seven rebounds, and a steal.
“I believe it should be up to Bron and me to take charge. This falls on me. Clearly, I need to improve and be more vocal. I was engaged in the first half, but then quieted down, which I shouldn’t have done,” the 26-year-old guard remarked about the home team taking control in the second half and ultimately winning.
Luka Doncic just kicked a ball into the stands and nearly hit a fan!pic.twitter.com/sfoeL8vom8
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) March 25, 2025
“We’re professionals, and that’s part of our job. We can’t use the schedule as an excuse. Every team faces tough stretches at times,” the Slovenian star emphasized during his postgame comments. “We need to evaluate our performance. Improvement is essential.”
Franz Wagner matched Doncic with a game-high 32 points while also delivering nine assists, five rebounds, and a steal over his 38 minutes on the court. Paolo Banchero contributed significantly with 30 points, boosting the Magic to a 34-38 record in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season.
“It’s always a significant game with a great atmosphere when the Lakers visit. However, considering our current season, we needed this win, especially as we haven’t managed to win back-to-back games in a while,” Wagner reflected.
“Our mindset was spot on,” he added. “Whenever they made runs, we maintained our composure. It’s our responsibility to be out here, but it’s also enjoyable. The best players always discover a way to find joy in the game.”
Unfortunately, Wagner’s brother, Moritz, has been sidelined for the rest of the season following knee surgery in December. Coach Jamahl Mosley also had limited options from Europe, with German Tristan da Silva contributing two points, one steal, and a rebound, while Georgian Goga Bitadze added four rebounds and a steal.
For the Lakers, Ukrainian Alex Len did not play, and German Maxi Kleber continued to recover from foot surgery.
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