(Mic’d up video) Kevin Durant gives ‘playoff’ warning to Luka Doncic after ankle-breaker from Lakers star

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic returned to action to face Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns at home.

(Mic’d up video) Kevin Durant gives ‘playoff’ warning to Luka Doncic after ankle-breaker from Lakers star

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic and Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant

The Los Angeles Lakers returned home a four-game losing road trip. This stretch of home games was also not going to be easy, but with Luka Doncic back, there was a chance they could a few games to stem their slide down the standings.

They were kicking this home stretch with a game against the struggling Phoenix Suns. To make it easier for them, the men in purple and gold started off the game strong. They ran away with a double-digit lead, piling the pressure on the Suns the perform.

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One of the reasons the Lakers managed to score more than double what the Suns did in the first quarter was due to some hapless defense from the visitors. It gave the home team the opportunity to toy with their opponents, which led to one particular play that possibly set the tone.

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Suns superstar Kevin Durant was glued onto Doncic with a little under six minutes left in the 4th quarter. The 36-year-old knew he had the length to guard the Slovenian. But after the much younger Lakers star received the ball, Durant could not keep up with him.

Doncic dribbled left then crossed over to his right. Durant followed both of those moves, but then, Luka Doncic slammed on the brakes. The two-time NBA champion was caught out. With acres of space left, the 25-year-old calmly drained a three-pointer.

Kevin Durant has words for Luka Doncic

This move seemingly broke Kevin Durant’s ankles. It was not necessarily an ankle twister, but the Phoenix Suns superstar was left out in the wind. Again, it seemed like he was on skates, but the near seven-footer regained composure to at least get his hands up.

He did not appreciate what the five-time All-NBA 1st teamer did to him. Luka Doncic was Mic’d up for this game, and it picked up Durant telling him.

You’re not getting that in the playoffs, you know that.

Kevin Durant said

This was the DC native telling the Lakers star that he would not be this wide open in the playoffs. That is, even if Durant was left on skates, others would have come over to help. Doncic admitted later in the game that he was wide open on multiple occasions.

But any superstar who has been to the deep end of the playoffs knows defense intensify in the postseason. Doncic knows if this matchup repeats, the Suns will battle harder to ensure they are not allowing him or any of his teammates to score this easily.

Lakers start of crucial home stretch with win

The four-game losing stretch prior to today’s game saw the Los Angeles Lakers slide down the West standings. Prior to that, they were second and looked like a team that was on a mission. Some felt their new gameplan was going to embarrass a lot of teams.

But those championship contender claims fizzled out when they lost four straight. Admittedly, they had some crucial injuries. But analysts believe the team is walking a tight rope. Injuries to any key player can lead to some concerns.

They did have a few players back tonight as LeBron James continues to recover. Those players returning meant the Los Angeles Lakers were seemingly back to their best defensively. They were also able to get creative in transition, which resulted in easy baskets for their two primary scorers.

They won this game against the Phoenix Suns 107-96. Next, they will face a depleted San Antonio Spurs as their second of a back-to-back. Win that, and they will have some relief. The next back-to-back will be difficult with the Denver Nuggets and the Milwaukee Bucks flying in.

If the Lakers can keep their effort levels up, they could string an upset or two. But even if they don’t, they will not be in a terrible situation as they wait for LeBron James to return. With the playoffs fast approaching, the men in purple and gold have to do all they can to stay in the top half of the West.