The　discrete　laser　surface　hardening　(DLSH)　parameters　of　25CrNi2MoV　steel　were　synthetically　optimized　and　employed　to　enhance　the　surface　sliding　wear　resistance　under　starved　lubrication.　Results　showed　that　the　DLSH　treatment　changed　the　sample＇s　surface　microstructures,　local　hardness　and　residual　compressive　stress.　The　proper　surface　quality　and　hardening　depth　can　be　obtained　in　the　laser　power　range　of　400–500　W.　DLSH　treatment　delayed　the　occurrence　time　of　severe　scuffing　failure　and　decreased　the　wear　loss.　The　formed　arc-shaped　dimples　in　substrate　zone　between　the　hardened　spots　helped　to　reduce　the　coefficient　of　friction.　Different　matching　strategies　of　laser　power　and　irradiation　time　caused　the　differences　of　surface　wear　mechanism.　©　2021　Elsevier　Ltd