Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić delivered an impressive stat line on Thursday against the Milwaukee Bucks, but his efforts ultimately didn’t translate into a win.
Sports commentator Skip Bayless was critical of Dončić’s performance, arguing that many of his points were what he described as “empty calories,” meaning they had little impact on the outcome of the game.
Bayless used this game as an example of why the Dallas Mavericks decided to trade Dončić, a move he personally supported. He suggested that the 26-year-old guard is feeling the absence of his star teammate, LeBron James.
“Tonight at Milwaukee, Luka Dončić scored 45 points. He had 29 by halftime. He had a hot streak from three in the first half in which he scored 10 straight points, and he wound up making five out of nine threes in the first half. But then he went cold for a stretch, and most of his points felt like empty calories.
“Most of his points had little to no impact on the scoreboard, and tonight at Milwaukee on national TV, we saw how much Luka Dončić is missing LeBron bleeping James.
“… It has become the ultimate basketball joy for me to watch these two combine their genius on the basketball floor. … I got hooked on it because it was like watching two Magic Johnsons on the floor. Now, without LeBron, Luka’s like half a Magic.” (*Undisputed*, Fox Sports, March 14, 2025).
Despite Bayless’ criticism, Dončić put up an impressive individual performance, finishing with 45 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block while shooting 14-of-27 from the field and 7-of-13 from three-point range. His 45-point effort tied his season-high, which he had previously recorded while still playing for Dallas.
Meanwhile, LeBron James has been sidelined since sustaining a groin injury during the Lakers’ game against the Boston Celtics on Saturday. The Lakers lost that game after James exited, and they have since dropped two more, extending their losing streak to three.
While Bayless has been vocal in his critiques of Dončić, it’s evident that he appreciates the chemistry between Dončić and James. Fans are hoping to see both stars return to the court together soon. However, they will both be out for Friday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets.
The Lakers, who recently held the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, have slipped to the No. 4 spot amid their recent struggles. Although they remain a legitimate contender, they will need to turn things around in the coming weeks if they hope to secure a favorable playoff position.
Bayless’ harsh assessment of Dončić’s 45-point performance is likely to generate debate, but the Lakers’ newest star is probably more focused on getting back to winning rather than media commentary.
