Luka Doncic Shatters Lakers Record with 92-Point Season Opener!

LOS ANGELES – Luka Doncic put on an incredible show, scoring 49 points in the Lakers’ 128-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. This feat broke Jerry West’s record, set 56 years ago, for the most points scored in the first two games of a season for the Lakers.

After the game, Austin Reaves was asked if Doncic could average 40 points this season. “Yes,” he replied confidently. “He’s so good, it’s weird.”

This second game was a stark contrast to the Lakers’ season opener, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors. In that game, the Lakers shot 54.5% from the field and struggled with turnovers. But against the Timberwolves, they improved to 59.2% shooting and committed only 12 turnovers.

Doncic is now the first player in Lakers history to start a season with two consecutive 40-point games. Only three other players in NBA history have achieved this milestone: Anthony Davis, Michael Jordan, and Wilt Chamberlain.

“I feel great,” Doncic said, highlighting the hard-fought win. “Minnesota is a great team, and we had to do a lot to win today.”

Alongside him, Reaves also shone with 25 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. Rui Hachimura added 23 points, contributing to the team’s strong performance. Hachimura noted, “It’s not some random team we played against. They’re a Western Conference finals team. So this is crazy.”

The Lakers fell behind early, trailing by 11 points in the first quarter before fighting back to end the quarter just four points behind. Doncic scored 23 points in the first, tying Kobe Bryant for the most first-quarter points in team history. The Lakers dominated the second and third quarters, outscoring the Timberwolves 72-54 in that stretch.

Doncic downplayed notions of revenge against the team that eliminated the Lakers from last year’s playoffs, saying, “I just want to forget about last season. I don’t really think about that first-round series.”

After a rough third quarter against the Warriors, some Lakers players took early warm-up shots during halftime. This might have helped them regain their focus. “For the first time in Lakers history, the other team called the first timeout in the third quarter,” said head coach JJ Redick, celebrating their performance.

As the game wound down, Redick joked about getting Doncic to score 50 points, but he ended with 49. “Just like when I’m on the other side, I was shocked,” said Deandre Ayton, reflecting on Doncic’s performance. “I wanted him to get 50 tonight, though.”

Doncic continues to amaze basketball fans, and his impressive performances are already shaping the Lakers’ season. With statistics showing the rising competitive spirit in the NBA, including an increase in scoring among top players, Doncic’s potential to push those boundaries is thrilling to watch.

As of now, Doncic has scored 92 points through two games, setting a pace that can redefine what’s possible in this league. For more detailed statistics and insights, visit the NBA stats page.

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