Lakers' Luka Doncic Earns Surprise Defensive Player of the Month Nomination

The All-Star guard is known for his elite offense, but has stepped up on the defensive end as the Lakers surge toward the playoffs.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:34pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting Luka Doncic's defensive movements on the basketball court, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes representing his intensity and hustle on that end of the floor.Luka Doncic's surprising defensive prowess has elevated the Lakers' championship aspirations.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has been nominated for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Month award for March, a surprising recognition for a player known primarily for his offensive prowess. Doncic's improved defense has been a key factor in the Lakers' recent 15-2 stretch, as the team has morphed into an elite defensive unit over the past two months.

Why it matters

Doncic's nomination for Defensive Player of the Month shatters the perception that he is a defensive liability, showing he has stepped up on that end of the floor to complement his scoring dominance. As the Lakers gear up for a playoff push, Doncic's two-way play will be crucial in their quest to unseat the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

The details

In March, Doncic recorded a total of 600 points, putting him in elite company alongside Michael Jordan and James Harden for the most points scored in a single month in NBA history. His offensive explosion has helped push the Lakers to a 15-2 record in their last 17 games, second only to the Thunder. While Doncic is not considered an elite defender, he has clearly improved on that end of the floor, earning a surprising nomination for Defensive Player of the Month.

  • Doncic's nomination comes after a dominant March performance.
  • The Lakers are gearing up to face the Thunder on April 2, 2026.

The players

Luka Doncic

The 27-year-old Lakers star is considered one of the NBA's most dominant offensive players, but has now also earned recognition for his improved defense.

Michael Jordan

The NBA legend is one of only two players to score more points in a single month than Doncic did in March.

James Harden

The former MVP is the other player to score more points in a month than Doncic's 600-point March.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Thunder star, likely to be named MVP for the second straight season, will be a tough defensive assignment for Doncic.

JJ Redick

The Lakers head coach will be counting on Doncic to play sound defense against the Western Conference's elite guards.

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What they’re saying

“Luka got nominated for Defensive Player of the Month. Think about that. In all honesty, that's better than winning some other award. Luka getting nominated for Defensive Player of the Month? That's never happened in his career.”

— Brian Windhorst, NBA Insider

What’s next

The Lakers will face the Thunder on April 2, 2026 in a matchup of two of the Western Conference's top teams. Doncic's defensive performance against Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be a key factor in the outcome.

The takeaway

Luka Doncic's nomination for Defensive Player of the Month shatters the perception that he is a defensive liability, showing he has stepped up on that end of the floor to complement his scoring dominance. As the Lakers gear up for a playoff push, Doncic's two-way play will be crucial in their quest to unseat the defending champion Thunder.