Luka Doncic accepted fault for a failed late-game execution that handed the Los Angeles Lakers a 110-109 defeat against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. The critical breakdown occurred on a sideline inbound play with under seven seconds remaining.
Following Wendell Carter Jr.’s go-ahead putback with 6.7 seconds left, the Lakers called timeout. LeBron James found Doncic open on the left wing beyond the arc, but Doncic declined the shot and picked up his dribble.
“I know I was open, but I just thought I was a little bit far,” Doncic said. “Tried to take one dribble closer. And I probably shouldn’t have picked up the ball and just tried to attack.”
Paolo Banchero and Anthony Black immediately trapped Doncic after he stopped. He pivoted and returned the ball to James, who was guarded on the wing by Jonathan Isaac. James caught the pass with 2.9 seconds remaining and launched a 27-foot off-balance fadeaway that missed at the buzzer.
“I shouldn’t have picked up the ball. I should have attacked. … That’s on me,” Doncic said.
Doncic, who shot 8-for-24 overall and 2-for-10 from three-point range, acknowledged his struggles may have influenced his decision.
“Maybe a little bit,” he said when asked if his shooting difficulties factored in.
The miscue was one of several late lapses. James missed a free throw with 44.7 seconds left, and Desmond Bane converted a three-pointer on the next possession. Orlando then secured an offensive rebound off a missed Banchero jumper, setting up Carter’s decisive score.
The defeat dropped Los Angeles to 4-4 on their homestand.