The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t start the season on the right foot against the Golden State Warriors. The biggest issue was their lack of aggressiveness; they seemed out of sorts at key points in the game. Luka Dončić knew that had to change.
““I think we started a little bit slow, not being physical,” Dončić said. “I think when we start games being physical is when we’re at our best. So we need to be more physical for sure, getting the ball in the pick-and-rolls. So just be more physical.”
While the rest of the team struggled in Game 1, Dončić made NBA history.
“Luka Dončić is the first player in NBA history to open a season with a 40-point double-double but lose by double digits,” Opta Stats posted.
On Friday, the Lakers hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves, and once again, Dončić accomplished something no Laker has done since 2022.
“Luka Dončić is up to 40 tonight. That’s back-to-back 40-point games for him, the first Laker to do so since LeBron James in December 2022,” Lakers insider Dave McMenamin wrote.
Not only did Dončić give the Lakers a historic boost, but he also cemented his place among elite company in NBA history.
“Luka is the 1st player in Lakers history to start a season with two consecutive 40-point games and only the 4th player in league history to do so (Anthony Davis, Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain are the others),” McMenamin posted.
Dončić is off to a sizzling start and is putting the Lakers on his shoulders. When he’s playing at this level, the team seems to come together around him.
Already finding his way into NBA history highlights just how remarkable his start has been. The NBA veteran is still without an MVP award, but if he maintains this pace, that could change this season.
