Luka Doncic did not stutter when revealing how LA is better than the Mavericks
Star player Luka Dončić enters the domestic part of the 2026 season with high expectations for the Los Angeles Lakersbelieving that the team is fully capable of challenging for the title now that he is back to health. Despite a regular season plagued by injuries to himself, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, the Lakers maintained a 33-21 record, securing the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference before the All-Star break.
With only 10 games played by the main trio together, the Slovenian superstar sees the post-break period as the ultimate test of his championship infrastructure.
In an interview that HoopsHipe shared through Sportklub, Dončić engaged in inevitable comparisons between his current and former franchises directly. He didn’t mince words when discussing the operational differences since his trade from Dallas.
“I think there is a better organization here. The Lakers are a truly legendary club, and the organization is also legendary,” explained the superstar. The harsh assessment underscores the broken confidence that ended his time with the Mavericks and his newfound comfort in the purple and gold.
The Lakers are relying on this organizational stability as they prepare for the final step, putting health above all else. During the 2026 All-Star Game. Dončić made his long-awaited return after straining his left hamstring it sidelined him for four straight regular-season contests.
Although he only logged five minutes, recording two points and two assists for the world team, he confirmed that his leg felt good afterwards. The team has gone 3-2 in his absence, but they will need his league-leading scoring and playmaking to avoid getting into playoff territory. As the Lakers prepare to resume their campaign on February 20 against the Clippers, Luka Doncic remains focused on staying on the floor to prove that this storied club can indeed bring home another banner.
2026-02-16 14:40:00
