Luka Doncic poured in 45 points on Sunday as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors 131-125. What he really wanted to talk about was his defense.

Doncic forced eight Toronto turnovers by himself. He had five steals and drew three charges. ESPN Research says no player had done both in the same game since tracking began in 2013-14.

It was his third 40-point game in his last four. He leads the NBA at 37.7 points a game and also grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds.

'Finally'

"Obviously, I'm not the best defender in the NBA, but I think this year, I really took a step forward," Doncic said. "People are going to talk what they want to talk [about] me. ..." He added that he and his teammates know he is better this year.

Center Walker Kessler was impressed. "Five steals and three charges ... incredible," he said. "Luka doesn't get enough credit for his defense."

When a reporter told Doncic that his teammates and coach had praised his defense, he smiled and said, "Finally."

Taking a hit for the team

Coach JJ Redick said drawing charges shows leadership. Two came against RJ Barrett and one against Scottie Barnes.

"You're putting your body on the line for the team," Redick said. "He's competitive on the defensive end, too."

Doncic admitted he took only a handful of charges in six and a half seasons in Dallas. "It gets the whole team fired up," he said. "And three charges is not bad for one game."

Even the other bench was impressed. "When he's healthy and ready to go, he's just unstoppable," Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. "Tonight, he was outstanding."