Luka Doncic scoring 43 points against the Golden State Warriors was the stuff of highlights, but as thrilling as it was, the Lakers still walked away with a 119-109 loss. It’s a curious contradiction of a player delivering peak performance while the team fails to capitalize. And that’s precisely where Lakers legend James Worthy steps in, cutting through the hype to issue a blunt reminder that even the brightest stars need their supporting cast firing early.

Worthy, fresh off comparing Luka to Magic Johnson in September, emphasized the nuances in Doncic’s game that make him dominant. “He’s an unstoppable player,” Worthy said, pointing out Luka’s ability to get to his spots, use his body for spacing, and attack efficiently. Yet, the Hall of Famer also highlighted a crucial adjustment.

Which suggests involving teammates earlier. Early offensive rhythm, Worthy argues, is the hidden key to amplifying Doncic’s already explosive output. The lesson, according to Worthy, is simple: let your X-factors shine before the superstars carry the load.

He referenced Rui Hachimura’s performance against the Warriors as an example, noting the forward’s physicality was underutilized. “Rui didn’t have the type of game he’s going to need to have,” Worthy said. “They’re going to have to find a way to get him involved early.” Without that early movement, even Luka’s brilliance can become the sole focus, leaving rebounds and offensive flow to stagnate. Defensively, the Lakers struggled to adjust.

Worthy dissected the game, explaining how Golden State’s early blitzing created turnovers that Los Angeles couldn’t counter. “They blitzed Luka, they blitzed Reaves a lot, and they did not counter that,” he said, pointing out seven or eight first-quarter turnovers that set the tone. The team leaned heavily on Doncic, while big man Deandre Ayton logged just seven shot attempts, which, well, is a far cry from the production the Lakers need from their supporting cast.

That too, with LeBron James sidelined with a sciatica injury. Yet, despite these frustrations, there’s admiration underlying Worthy’s critique.

He praised Luka’s dominance in tough moments and the potential for alley-oops and easy buckets for Ayton and Hayes, signaling that Doncic’s vision creates opportunities if teammates can step up. “Luka just looks at you and smiles, and he throws a little lob to the right,” Worthy observed in September, stressing the point that Doncic is already orchestrating play, but the orchestra needs to play along.

What Luka Doncic’s influence means for early-season adjustments in LA

Doncic himself acknowledged the early-season learning curve with new teammates like DeAndre Ayton. He discussed how attacking the paint opens opportunities for the team and improves the flow, saying, “Sometimes they don’t help, sometimes no. So I just got to attack even more the paint and then reach for them.” His mindset is to focus on the process rather than the box score.

And while his individual brilliance continues to dazzle, the context matters. This Lakers squad is integrating several new pieces, and chemistry is still forming. Beyond individual performances, though, the numbers tell an optimistic story. Doncic is now the first player in NBA history to open a season with a 40-point double-double yet lose by double digits.

That highlights a glaring point that even when your star is transcendent, team-wide contributions dictate outcomes. Austin Reaves stepped up with 26 points, but the disparity beyond Doncic and Reaves is evident. Without consistent support, the Mavericks’ former standout continues to carry a heavy load. And yet, Luka’s skill set remains unmatched in key areas.

Worthy highlighted the comparison to Magic Johnson, noting that both players excel in capturing a “snapshot” of the floor after rebounds and immediately orchestrating offense. Luka is averaging 9.2 boards per game with the Lakers, surpassing Magic’s 7.2, showing that his hustle fuels quick decisions and offensive setups. Looking ahead, the Lakers must convert Luka’s brilliance into wins.

The game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday represents another chance to balance star power with supporting cast execution. If Worthy’s advice is heeded, get X-factors like Hachimura and Ayton involved early, and the Lakers could transform Luka’s amazing numbers into tangible victories.

Until then, even greatness has its limits, and Doncic continues to bear the dual cover of leader and offensive supertsar.