The Los Angeles Lakers' center problem that haunted them last year and prevented them from making a deep playoff run is still an issue.

Luka Dončić shouldered the blame for Deandre Ayton only getting seven field-goal attempts in the Los Angeles Lakers' 119-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.

On Tuesday night at Crypto Arena, the Warriors’ team-centric approach to scoring the ball prevailed over the Lakers’ all-Luka Doncic, all the time tactics in a 119-109 victory. With sciatica relegating LeBron James to a spectator, Doncic was unstoppable as a scorer and put up 43 points.

In his first opening night with the Lakers, Luka Doncic puts on a clinic and cements his name alongside some of the greats.

For what it’s worth, Nowitzki was not alone in his take. Fellow Mavs legend Steve Nash also named Doncic when asked about his MVP prediction, while sports reporter Taylor Rooks had the same thoughts and mentioned how she was impressed by the Slovenian star’s conditioning during the offseason.

The Los Angeles Lakers are set to begin their 2025-26 NBA campaign in just a few hours. For the first time, the season will begin with Luka Doncic leading the charge. Enough time has passed for people to have made their peace with the blockbuster trade last season,

Lakers urged to sign 6-foot-8 Rockets wing, boost Luka Doncic's championship odds originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

By Janina Nuno Rios (Reuters) -With LeBron James sidelined, Luka Doncic opens the new NBA season as unquestioned leader of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Slovenian superstar eyeing a long-awaited MVP and hoping to turn his dominance into silverware for the storied franchise.