Lakers Notes: Doncic's Historic Scoring and Team Updates
Luka Doncic became only the second player in NBA history to score over 40 points in each of his first three games of a season. In his return on Friday, Lakers guard Doncic scored 44 points during a win against Memphis, matching a feat previously achieved only by Wilt Chamberlain.
Having missed the previous three games due to a sprained finger and a leg contusion, Doncic expressed confidence about his performance.
“I mean, I feel great,”he said when informed of joining Chamberlain in this category, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
“But obviously, if we get a win, I feel even better. So that’s the whole point, trying to help the team to win. And sometimes it’s going to be scoring, sometimes other things.”
With an average of 45.3 points over his first three games, Doncic is the first Lakers player since Kobe Bryant in 2007 to maintain 45 or more points during any three-game span. However, he admits sustaining this pace is unlikely.
“That’s going to be tough,”he stated.
“Sometimes they’re going to double me more. Sometimes I won’t be able to score that much. I had I think three or four shots that were crazy shots that I felt like doing, but they were terrible shots. I don’t know.”
Meanwhile, the Lakers seem to be moving on from LeBron James. The decision to let LeBron go is becoming easier as the team is performing well without him and appears stronger.
Summary
Luka Doncic’s explosive scoring streak highlights his rising influence on the Lakers, signaling the team’s evolving dynamics post-LeBron James.