Although Luka Doncic is undoubtedly one of the top players in the NBA, the Slovenian star's performance in the 2025 playoffs failed to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to go further. The Lakers were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, and Doncic's "superstar halo" faced an unprecedented test of public opinion.

ESPN SportsCenter reported: "After reaching the finals with the Dallas Mavericks last year, Luka Doncic moved to the Lakers this season, but was eliminated in the first round."

After the game, NBA legend Charles Barkley criticized Doncic's defensive attitude and physical condition on the "NBA on TNT" program: "Luka can't even defend a chair... He needs to strengthen his physical training. This has been going on for a long time. As a superstar, you can't let people keep saying that you don't defend and don't practice physical fitness. He is about to sign a big contract of 300 to 400 million US dollars, but he can't defend anyone."

Although Barkley's criticism was sharp, it also reflected the long-accumulated doubts within the league about Doncic: his offense is unsolvable, his defense is a shortcoming, and his physical fitness is always a concern.

Doncic played only 50 games in the regular season this season, but he still played all-around data, averaging:

• 28.2 points

• 8.2 rebounds

• 7.7 assists

• 1.8 Steals

• Shooting percentage 45.0%, three-point shooting percentage 36.8%
  
  

These data are undoubtedly still at the top level in the league. But in the playoffs, a stage that tests the quality of superstars, Doncic and the Lakers have never been able to find a way to solve the Timberwolves' offensive and defensive system, and eventually lost in the fifth game, bidding farewell to the season early.