Lakers’ Luka Doncic leads NBA in defensive stat

Luka Doncic led the NBA in defensive two-point field-goal percentage as the primary defender, at 21.9% entering the Lakers’ game against Sacramento. The figure challenges the reputation he has built as an offensive star who has often been criticised for his defence, and adds to his strong start to the season.

The statistic counted players who had defended at least 30 attempts. Doncic was averaging a league-leading 38.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and eight assists for the 7-2 Lakers, and had recently recorded five steals and drawn three charges against Toronto, a first in the player-tracking era. He scored 40 or more points in five of his previous six games and led the Lakers to a 116-103 win over the Kings.