TITLE: Luka Doncic Opens 2025-26 Season With Consecutive 40-Point Performances, Sets Lakers Record
SLUG: luka-doncic-starts-season-with-consecutive-40-point-games
Luka Doncic has written a new page in Los Angeles Lakers history, becoming the franchise’s first player to post back-to-back 40-point outings to begin a regular season.
The All-Star guard scored 43 points along with 12 rebounds and nine assists in the Oct. 22 season opener at Chase Center, where the Lakers fell to the Golden State Warriors. His 43 points marked the club’s highest total in an opener since Kobe Bryant recorded 45 in 2007.
Two nights later, Doncic erupted for 49 points at Crypto.com Arena, powering Los Angeles past the Minnesota Timberwolves, 124-115. The 26-year-old went 17-for-28 from the field and 7-for-13 from three-point range, preventing Minnesota from mounting a serious comeback.
According to the NBA, Doncic is only the fourth player league-wide to register 40 or more points in each of the first two games of a season. After the victory, he welcomed the milestone but placed the focus on the standings.
“It felt great,” Doncic said. “I wish we would have won the first game, but obviously it’s a good comeback. Minnesota is a great team. We had to do a lot to win today, but myself, I feel great. I want to win every game.”
The Lakers remain without LeBron James, who is expected to miss several more weeks while recovering from a sciatica issue. Head coach JJ Redick said he anticipates Doncic will enter early MVP discussions if Los Angeles continues to pile up victories in James’s absence.
Doncic and the Lakers travel north for their next matchup, facing the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on Oct. 27.
Source: Lakers Nation
