Lakers Notes: Doncic, Smart, Ayton, Reaves, NBA Cup

Lakers Notes: Doncic's Historic Scoring, Team Updates, and NBA Cup

Luka Doncic's Record-Breaking Start

Luka Doncic became only the second player in NBA history to score over 40 points in his first three games of a season. Returning to action on Friday, the Lakers guard scored 44 points in a victory against Memphis, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to start a season with three consecutive 40+ point games.

“I mean, I feel great,” Doncic said when told about joining Chamberlain in this category, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “But obviously, if we get a win, I feel even better. So that’s the whole point, trying to help the team to win. And sometimes it’s going to be scoring, sometimes other things.”

Context on Doncic's Performance

Doncic had missed the previous three games due to a sprained left finger and a contusion on his lower left leg. He is currently averaging 45.3 points over his first three games, marking the first Lakers player since Kobe Bryant in 2007 to average 45 or more points in any three-game stretch.

Despite his hot start, Doncic does not expect to maintain this scoring pace all season.

“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 I think three or four shots that were crazy shots that I felt like doing, but they were terrible shots. I don’t know.”

Lakers Team Dynamics

There is growing sentiment that the Lakers can succeed without LeBron James, and some believe the team is actually stronger without him.

The decision to let LeBron go is becoming easier, as the Lakers prove they can win without him.

Summary

Luka Doncic is making history with his scoring streak and carrying the Lakers strongly, while the team adjusts its strategy without LeBron James.

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