Luka Doncic disparages refereeing amid “terrible” game in Bucks loss

LOS ANGELES – For the first time all season, Los Angeles The Lakers lost a clutch game as they fell, 105-101, to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Lakers were 13-0 in games in which the margin was five or fewer points with five or fewer minutes left in the fourth quarter. It was also the first game the Lakers lost when leading at any point in the fourth quarter, according to Justin Russo of Russo Writes. And the first time Luka Dončić has fouled out since joining the Lakers.

Luka Doncic picked up his sixth foul late in the fourth quarter when he challenged Kevin Porter Jr.’s 3-pointer. Doncic was confused by the call, which came with 16.2 seconds left in the game. He picked up his five at the very end of the third quarter and managed to play the entire final period without a foul.

Although Doncic was seemingly bothered by the officiating from the start, he quickly took responsibility for the loss.

“No, it didn’t affect me. I think I just missed the shots I normally make,” said Doncic after the defeat. “Those color floats, I’m working on that a lot. Just today was a terrible day for me.”

It was certainly an unusual game from Doncic, who still finished with 24 points but shot just 8-of-25 (32 percent) from the field and missed half of his free throw attempts (4-of-8). He also finished with nine rebounds and nine assists.

For a player who is currently leading the league in scoring (33.3 points), there will certainly be some off nights, according to Lakers head coach JJ Redick.

“I thought there were a couple of drives early where he felt like he was fouled and then he missed some free throws. I think he was such a dynamic driver and touched the paint for us that those plays can kind of taint in your mind a little bit,” Redick said after the game. “But he’s beaten us in so many games … whatever game it is, of course you’re not going to have your best stuff and he didn’t have his best stuff tonight.”

Earlier this season, Redik spoke about the balance that Doncic has in terms of his decision-making, and how he’s done a good job of striking that balance, as evidenced by being the NBA’s leading scorer.

In addition to leading the league in points per game, he is also averaging 8.0 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.6 steals. He shoots 45.8 percent from the field, 32.3 percent from the 3-point line and 78.4 percent from the free throw line. He also leads the league in field goal attempts (22.5) and free throw attempts (12.0).

And overall, he knows he has to get better, especially in a close game streak.

“Definitely do better. You can see that my shot didn’t go through today,” Doncic said. “I could have gotten better shots, so I certainly could have done better than that.”