Luka Doncic returned from injury and made history on Friday night, becoming the first Los Angeles Lakers player since Kobe Bryant in 2007 to score at least 40 points in three consecutive games. His 44-point, 12-rebound, six-assist performance led the Lakers to a 117-112 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Cup opener.
Speaking after the game, Doncic reflected on both his recovery and his rhythm. “At the beginning, we probably didn’t think I was going to play Friday,” he said. “But after getting treatment every day, I felt way better. We decided to fly out here, see how I feel, and if I’m good to go, I’ll play.”
The 26-year-old guard showed no signs of rust after missing three games with a left finger sprain and lower leg contusion. “I feel great,” Doncic said. “But obviously, after we get a win, I feel even better. That’s the whole point — trying to help the team win.”
Doncic’s performance placed him alongside Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to open a season with three straight 40-plus-point games. Asked if maintaining that pace was realistic, Doncic smiled. “That’s going to be tough,” he admitted. “Sometimes they’re going to double me more. Sometimes I won’t be able to score that much. I had some pretty crazy shots tonight that were terrible shots, so I got to work on that.”
He also credited his teammates for responding in the second half after trailing by 14 at the break. “JJ talked to us at halftime that we need to be more physical, and that’s what we did,” Doncic said. “I told Jaxson [Hayes] the way he came out in the third quarter was unbelievable. We were up because of him. He did all the little things.”
Doncic acknowledged the team’s offensive potential once LeBron James returns from a sciatica issue. “It can be way, way better,” he said. “Austin played great when I was out. We have a lot of improvement left on offense, but all this means nothing if we don’t get stops. The first half today was very bad — no energy — and that starts with me.”
The Slovenian star’s 45.3-point average through three games has fueled the Lakers’ 4-2 start. His efficient shooting and control of the offense have given Los Angeles an edge even without its full roster.
Next up, the Lakers host the Miami Heat on Sunday as Doncic aims to extend his record-breaking streak.
