Luka Dončić Says Lakers’ Chemistry Has Reached “Another Level” in His Second Season with LA

The Los Angeles Lakers have opened the season with confidence, cohesion, and the unmistakable feel of a group that has found its rhythm early. At the heart of that surge is Luka Dončić, who is now in his second year with the franchise — but his first full offseason and training camp as a Laker.

After LA’s commanding 119–95 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, Dončić made it clear: the chemistry inside the locker room is on a different level from a year ago.

“The chemistry is amazing,” Dončić told reporters. “Last season, when I first got here, I was quieter — just trying to learn everybody and figure things out. Now I’m just being myself, joking around, talking trash. When a team wants to win, chemistry is everything, and I feel like we really have it.”

Dončić’s monster night vs. Milwaukee

Against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, Dončić delivered yet another MVP-caliber outing:

• 41 points
• 9 rebounds
• 6 assists
• 9-of-19 from the field
• 5-of-11 from deep

He controlled the pace, dissected the defense, and energized teammates on both ends — exactly the type of leadership he referenced in his comments about comfort and connection.

Year 2 comfort level paying off

Through his first 10 games of the season, Dončić is putting up outrageous numbers:

• 34.4 points
• 8.9 rebounds
• 8.9 assists
• ~47% shooting
• ~33% from three

The Lakers believe his increased voice — both in the huddle and in the locker room — has been a major difference. Several players and coaches have privately said they see a more relaxed, more engaged version of Dončić than the one they got last February when he arrived midseason.

JJ Redick on the shift: “We found ourselves again”

Head coach JJ Redick noted that the group responded well after a disappointing loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier in the week. Since then, the Lakers have stacked back-to-back wins, including the Milwaukee blowout.

“You have to find moments to reconnect with what makes you a strong basketball team,” Redick told Spectrum SportsNet. “I think over the last 24 hours, we did exactly that.”

LeBron nearing return — more help coming

The Lakers, now 10–4, could soon receive another major boost with the approaching return of LeBron James, who has been sidelined with an injury. Dončić himself emphasized after the game that the team’s chemistry should only get better once its full roster is healthy.

Los Angeles is set to host the Utah Jazz on Tuesday in what could be another test of their rising momentum.