Luka Doncic has opened his first full campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers by piling up points, and Hall-of-Famer Dirk Nowitzki believes the surge is only the beginning. Speaking Friday night on NBA on Prime, Nowitzki said he expects the 26-year-old guard to finish the year as the league’s leading scorer.
“He’s been looking incredible the first two games,” Nowitzki said. “I’m gonna call it now: He’s gonna be the top scorer of the league this year.”
Explosive Start to the Season
Doncic opened the 2025-26 season with 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists in a loss to the Golden State Warriors. He followed that performance by pouring in 49 points, grabbing 11 boards and handing out eight assists in the Lakers’ first win, a home victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.
According to the Lakers, the back-to-back 40-plus outings mark the first time a player in franchise history has started a regular season with consecutive games of at least 40 points.
Lakers Lean on Doncic With James Sidelined
Los Angeles is expected to be without LeBron James for an extended stretch because of injury, leaving the offense in Doncic’s hands. The five-time All-Star appears prepared for the responsibility after an offseason during which he slimmed down, then excelled for Slovenia in EuroBasket.
The Lakers acquired Doncic last season, but a calf injury limited him and kept him from full game shape. Healthy and fitter this year, he is positioning himself as the focal point of an offense trying to keep pace in a Western Conference already dotted with early 40-point performances from multiple stars.
Nowitzki, Doncic’s longtime mentor and former Dallas Mavericks teammate, is confident those rivals will be chasing the Slovenian standout. “He’s gonna lead the league in scoring,” the 2011 Finals MVP said. “What are you gonna do about it?”
Source: Lakers Nation
