Luka Doncic made NBA history Friday night in Memphis, becoming just the second player since 1962 to open a season with three straight 40-point performances. His 44-point effort powered the Los Angeles Lakers to a 117-112 victory over the Grizzlies in the NBA Cup opener.
After the win, head coach JJ Redick addressed the media and reflected on Doncic’s dominance. The Slovenian became just the third or the second player ever to start the season with three straight 40-point games. First since 1962. “Congrats. That’s awesome,” Redick said.
Doncic’s offensive control stood out once again. He shot 14-for-27 from the field, including six three-pointers, while adding 12 rebounds and six assists. Redick noted how naturally the All-NBA guard dictates tempo and decision-making. “He just continues to get where he wants to go and he takes what the defense gives him,” Redick explained.
The Lakers coach also detailed how Doncic’s presence early in games stabilizes the team’s rhythm. “It’s been great because when our defense sucks in the first quarter, we have a chance to actually be in the game,” Redick said, acknowledging Doncic’s league-leading first-quarter scoring average through three contests.
Friday’s matchup highlighted Doncic’s impact beyond the box score. Los Angeles trailed by 14 at halftime but reversed the game’s momentum in the third quarter, outscoring Memphis 34-19. Redick credited the group’s response after a flat start. “We didn’t start the game playing hard, then we did. We built an eight-point lead and then they went on a 33-11 run,” he said. “We challenged them at halftime and it was like watching two different teams.”
Austin Reaves supported Doncic with 21 points, while Marcus Smart’s return added defensive intensity and timely shooting. “He’s got to be the leader of the physicality,” Redick said of Smart. “There were a lot of moments tonight where he did that and it made a big difference.”
For the Grizzlies, Jock Landale and Jaylen Wells each finished with 16 points, while Ja Morant struggled, shooting just 3-for-14. The Lakers, still without LeBron James due to right sciatica, improved to 4-2 on the season.
Redick emphasized that the Lakers’ success hinges on effort and accountability. “There’s young guys in the league that don’t know yet what it means to play hard, but these guys do,” he said. “To go from down 14 to a double-digit lead on the road doesn’t happen by accident.”
With three straight 40-point games to start the campaign, Doncic joins Wilt Chamberlain in an elite statistical category. His averages through the opening stretch—45.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 7.7 assists—underscore an early MVP-caliber start for the 26-year-old guard.
The Lakers host the Miami Heat on Sunday, while Memphis travels to Toronto.
