Luka Doncic has taken centre stage for the Los Angeles Lakers following LeBron James’ departure, delivering a remarkable series of performances that have helped the team make an impressive start to the NBA season.
The Slovenian superstar, now in his ninth NBA campaign, has been virtually unstoppable offensively, scoring at least 37 points in five consecutive games as the Lakers opened their season with six wins from eight outings.
Doncic continued his outstanding form with consecutive match-winning displays, recording 45 points and 15 rebounds against Toronto on Sunday before producing 42 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds in a commanding victory over Miami on Monday.
“It feels good, but when we win, it feels way better,” Dončić said. “That’s the only important stuff. Obviously, it feels good (to score), but when you win by 20 against a team like Miami, it’s really awesome, especially on a back-to-back.”
His scoring streak began with a 52-point explosion against Utah, followed by performances of 41 and 37 points in two defeats.
Across his last five appearances, Doncic has crossed the 40-point mark four times, converting 53.1 per cent of his field-goal attempts and sinking 34 three-pointers.
His teammates have also praised his improved defensive commitment, highlighted by five steals against Toronto.
“It’s crazy,” Lakers guard Quentin Grimes said. “It just feels like almost anything he shoots — whether it’s a circus shot, or whether it’s a regular step-back 3, or it’s a tough look — it seems like everything he shoots is going to go in. It’s kind of surreal. I don’t think I’ve ever been on the court when everything somebody shoots, you think it’s going in. It’s kind of crazy the heater he’s on, for sure.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick described Doncic’s influence as extraordinary.
“It feels like a supernova, but it also feels normal,” Redick said. “We live on a spaceship, and we’re going at the speed of light at all times when he’s on the court. When he has it going, it’s pick your poison, because he can just make any shot. And then you start putting two on the ball, and everybody else is the beneficiary of that. He’s a terrific offensive engine.”
Los Angeles have capitalised on the defensive attention Doncic attracts, making 37 three-pointers across their last two games while scoring 269 points.
“It’s not just me, it’s everybody,” Dončić said. “Everybody is in the right spots and shooting with confidence.”
Austin Reaves, who scored 27 against Miami, echoed that sentiment.
“It’s fun,” said Reaves. “Luka is doing incredible things, and when he’s doing that, it just opens up the floor for everybody else to play free and confident, and I feel like that’s what we did tonight.”
