Luka Doncic Totals 45 Points and Five Steals in Lakers Win Over Raptors

Luka Doncic led the Lakers to a 131-125 victory over Toronto, becoming the first player since 2013-14 to record five steals and three charges in one game.

Luka Doncic scored 45 points and grabbed a season-high 15 defensive rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 131-125 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. The performance marked Doncic's third game with at least 40 points in his last four outings, maintaining his position as the NBA's leading scorer at 37.7 points per game. Sandro Mamukelashvili added 11 points off the bench for Los Angeles in the win.

According to ESPN Research, the 27-year-old guard became the first player to record five steals and three charges in a single game since player tracking began in the 2013-14 season. Doncic drew two of those charges against RJ Barrett and one against Scottie Barnes, contributing to eight total turnovers forced against Toronto.

Lakers coach JJ Redick and center Walker Kessler highlighted the guard's defensive growth, noting his willingness to put his body on the line. While Doncic acknowledged having a poor defensive reputation during his 6½ seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, he credited his improved conditioning and health for his current impact. The Lakers, who finished 20th in defensive rating during the 2025-26 season, acquired Kessler in the offseason to bolster their interior presence alongside Doncic.