Reggie Miller calls out Luka Doncic, explains why he would be upset

The Los Angeles Lakers hit another tough stretch on Tuesday night, falling 128-106 to the Detroit Pistons at Cripto.com Arena to drop to 20-11 on the season. The loss stuck not just because of the margin, but because it highlighted the problems that persist on the defensive end. During the NBC broadcast, Reggie Miller focused on one moment that summed up the frustration, according to TheSportsRush. Miller shouted Luka Dončić after a second-quarter breakdown, pointing to a possession where the defense never came to the rescue.

As Jalen Duren attacked the rim, Luca stood nearby and raised his arms instead of sliding. “This would be frustrating for me,” Miller said, explaining why such body language can rub teammates the wrong way.

For most of the night, the Los Angeles Lakers looked capable of rolling. The game carried additional emotions with LeBron James celebrating his 41st birthday, and a victory against the East-leading Pistons would be symbolic. Instead, the Lakers unraveled late, turning a competitive contest into another double-digit loss.

Hall of Famer Reggie Miller calls out Luka’s defensive effort: “Look at Luka here. It’s OK, Luka, to move your feet a little bit and help. What’s he doing? He’s just putting his hands up. This would be frustrating for me.”

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— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) December 31, 2025

Why Miller’s criticism struck a nerve

Criticism of Luka’s defense does not come from nowhere. He has openly said that he wants to grow in that direction, and there are times when he competes. However, consistency remains elusive, especially over four quarters. When the team is already struggling to come together to stop, any failure stands out even more.

That particular game, however, had more nuances. Luca raised his hands to signal contact, while Duren elbowed Jake LaRavi before finishing. Officials later reviewed the sequence and assessed a flagrant foul. That context explains the reaction, but doesn’t erase the lack of resistance when Duren made his move.

The Lakers now have a tougher road ahead. Injuries have changed lineups all season, and with Austin Reaves out for about a month with a calf strain, the margin for error on defense has shrunk even more. If the Lakers want stability, effort and communication on that front must sharpen quickly.