LOS ANGELES — After Luka Doncic scored 49 factors within the Lakers’ 128-110 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday — shattering Jerry West’s 56-year franchise report of 81 factors scored by the primary two video games of a season — his teammate Austin Reaves was requested a query.
May Doncic, who has scored 92 factors this season, common 40?
“Sure,” Reaves advised ESPN.
May Doncic common 40 and wouldn’t it assist the workforce win?
“Sure,” Reaves continued. “He is so good, it is bizarre.”
It was uncanny to see the effectiveness of the Doncic-led Lakers offense in its second recreation of the season in contrast with Tuesday’s 119-109 season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors.
The Lakers shot higher from the sector, 59.2% in contrast with 54.5% on Tuesday, and had been significantly better from 3, capturing 41.4% in contrast with 25%. In addition they dedicated fewer turnovers, 12 in contrast with 19.
And Doncic was the fixed, changing into the primary participant in Lakers historical past with consecutive 40-point video games to begin a season and simply the fourth in NBA historical past, becoming a member of Anthony Davis, Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain for the feat.
“I want we gained the primary recreation, however clearly it is a good comeback,” Doncic mentioned after ending 14-for-23 from the ground, together with 5-for-12 from 3, and 16-for-19 from the free throw line. “I believe Minnesota is a superb workforce. We needed to do loads to win in the present day. However myself, I really feel nice. I need to win each recreation.”
Doncic added 11 rebounds and eight assists, becoming a member of Reaves (25 factors, 11 assists, 7 rebounds) with a double-double. Rui Hachimura scored 23 factors on 10-for-13 capturing, and Deandre Ayton had 15 factors and eight rebounds.
“He, in fact, dominates the entire recreation so simply,” Hachimura mentioned. “And it isn’t some random workforce we performed towards. They are a Western Convention finals workforce. So that is loopy.”
After trailing by as many as 11 factors within the first quarter, the Lakers reduce Minnesota’s result in 4 heading into the second quarter as Doncic tied Kobe Bryant and Kyle Kuzma for essentially the most first-quarter factors in workforce historical past with 23.
The Lakers dominated the center two quarters 72-54 towards the Timberwolves, who eradicated them from the playoffs final season.
Doncic mentioned revenge did not gas the efficiency.
“I simply need to overlook about final season,” Doncic mentioned. “I used to be making an attempt to maneuver on. I do not actually take into consideration that first-round collection.”
The workforce was fascinated about its poor third-quarter exhibiting towards the Warriors, although, when Golden State outscored the Lakers 35-25 to interrupt the sport open.
On Friday, a couple of Lakers gamers left the halftime locker room early to take warmup pictures on the court docket whereas the halftime present — a hand-balancing acrobat, Christian, and his canine, Scooby — was nonetheless ending its act.
And L.A. gained the third 40-31.
“I believe for the primary time in Lakers historical past, the opposite workforce referred to as the primary timeout within the third quarter,” Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned. “Had a pleasant ‘all proper, all proper’ with the group. ‘All proper, group, we did it!'”
As a lot because the third quarter was a trigger for celebration for Redick, he had one nitpick of Doncic within the fourth.
Throughout a late timeout, with L.A. up by 23 factors and three:29 remaining, Redick chided Doncic for being caught at 48 factors.
“I am making an attempt to get the man 50, and yeah, I would already given him three probabilities,” Redick mentioned. “I gave a fourth likelihood. He will get fouled after which he blows that, too.”
Doncic went 1-for-2 from the foul line with 3:05 remaining, bringing his whole to 49 factors, essentially the most he has scored as a Laker, and Redick subbed him out shortly thereafter.
The victory was Ayton’s first with the Lakers, thanks largely to the man who tormented his Phoenix Suns workforce within the playoffs years in the past.
“Identical to the identical method I see it after I’m on the opposite facet — shocked,” Ayton mentioned when requested what it was wish to witness Doncic’s evening. “Like, ‘Oh my God, I am unable to imagine he is doing this. When is he going to overlook?’ You understand, issues like that.
“I needed him to get 50 tonight, although.”