Luka Doncic is brimming with confidence ahead of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, and with good reason. Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick made a bold claim about the Los Angeles Lakers star:
“He doesn’t think a single person in the world can guard him.”
And truthfully, Doncic has played like a man who backs up that belief every single night.
Since arriving in Los Angeles in a midseason blockbuster trade, Doncic has transformed the Lakers from a fringe contender to a juggernaut.
In just half a season with the purple and gold, the Slovenian superstar has averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and a stellar 37.9% from beyond the arc. His all-around brilliance helped guide the Lakers to a 50-32 record and the third seed in the Western Conference.
This isn’t the first time Doncic has entered the postseason with the league on notice. Just last year, he carried the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals, leading the entire playoffs in total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and three-pointers made.
He averaged an astounding 33.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game during that run, cementing his status as one of the most unstoppable forces in playoff basketball.
What makes Doncic even more dangerous now is the talent around him. LeBron James, who has rewritten the postseason record books and remains one of the most efficient and intelligent players in NBA history, is his running mate.
In his 22nd season, LeBron continues to defy time, posting All-NBA caliber numbers with 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game on 51.3% shooting from the field and 37.8% from three-point range. With LeBron orchestrating alongside him, Luka has found a perfect on-court partner.
Then there’s Austin Reaves, who has blossomed into a legitimate star since Doncic’s arrival. Reaves is averaging 23.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists since March, thriving in his role as the Lakers’ dynamic third option.
With Reaves’ scoring punch and versatility, defenses have found it nearly impossible to key in on Doncic without paying a steep price elsewhere.
Still, the Lakers face a real test in the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves are no strangers to success this year, ranking top 10 in both offensive and defensive rating and holding the fourth-best net rating in the league.
However, they haven’t forgotten what Luka did to them just a year ago in the Western Conference Finals. Doncic torched them and ended their season in just five games, sending a clear message that he was on a different level.
Heading into this series, Doncic’s confidence is not only warranted—it’s terrifying for any opponent. With a healthy supporting cast and a chip on his shoulder, Luka believes there’s no defender alive who can stop him. And if history is any indication, he might just be right.
