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During the 2025-26 NBA season, Luka Doncic showcased an extraordinary level of play for the Los Angeles Lakers, leading the squad to an impressive 15-1 record in March. The only game the Lakers dropped in that span was one Doncic missed due to a suspension for accumulating his 16th technical foul of the season.
Across those 16 contests, Doncic posted staggering averages of 37.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, while shooting 49.2% from the field and 39.2% from three-point range. His performance not only captivated Lakers fans but also caught the attention of rising stars around the league.
Rookie's Bold Ambition
Washington Wizards rookie AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, has expressed a strong desire to face Doncic and Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, both two-time MVP candidates. Speaking on the Road Trippin Show, Dybantsa admitted he has watched both players live and marveled at how effortlessly they make the game look.
"I watched Luka play, and Shai play live, and it's so easy to them," Dybantsa said. "I just want to see it. I just want to be on the defensive end and just see. I mean, I might be a part of it... I just want to see how easy it is. Or if it's that easy."
The 19-year-old, who played college ball at BYU, will join forces with former Lakers star Anthony Davis and former Hawks guard Trae Young in Washington. Despite his youth, Dybantsa exudes confidence, eagerly anticipating matchups against the league's premier backcourt talents.
Dybantsa specifically wants to experience guarding Doncic in isolation situations. "I just want to be on like an ISO island," he said. "This sounds crazy, but I want to be on an iso island and just really see if he's moving that slow... I mean, it works."
While Dybantsa's enthusiasm is commendable, history suggests that containing Doncic is a daunting task. The Lakers' superstar has consistently torched defenses and is a perennial scoring champion. When the NBA schedule is released in the coming weeks, Doncic might take note of these comments and look forward to showing the rookie exactly how difficult guarding him can be.