Luka Doncic units Lakers file with 92 factors in 1st 2 video games

LOS ANGELES — After Luka Doncic scored 49 factors within the Lakers’ 128-110 win over the Timberwolves on Friday — shattering Jerry West’s 56-year franchise file of 81 factors scored via the primary two video games of a season — his teammate Austin Reaves was requested a query.

Could Doncic, who has scored 92 factors this season, common 40?

“Yes,” Reaves informed ESPN.

Could Doncic common 40, and would it not assist the staff win?

“Yes,” Reaves continued. “He’s so good, it’s weird.”

It was uncanny to see the effectiveness of the Doncic-led Lakers offense in its second sport 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%. They additionally 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 start out a season and simply the fourth in NBA historical past, becoming a member of Anthony Davis, Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain.

“I wish we won the first game, but obviously it’s 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 think 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.”

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, of course, dominates the whole game so easily,” Hachimura mentioned. “And it’s not some random team we played against. They’re a Western Conference finals team. So this is crazy.”

After trailing by as many as 11 factors within the first quarter, the Lakers reduce the Timberwolves’ result in 4 heading into the second quarter as Doncic tied Kobe Bryant and Kyle Kuzma for essentially the most first-quarter factors in staff historical past with 23.

The Lakers dominated the center two quarters 72-54 in opposition to the Timberwolves, who eradicated them from the playoffs final season.

Doncic mentioned revenge did not gasoline the efficiency.

“I just want to forget about last season,” Doncic mentioned. “I was trying to move on. I don’t really think about that first-round series.”

The staff was interested by its poor third-quarter displaying in opposition to the Warriors, although, when Golden State outscored Los Angeles 35-25 to interrupt the sport open.

On Friday, a couple of Lakers gamers left the halftime locker room early to take warmup photographs whereas the halftime present — a hand-balancing acrobat, Christian, and his canine, Scooby — was nonetheless ending its act.

And Los Angeles received the third 40-31.

“I think for the first time in Lakers history, the other team called the first timeout in the third quarter,” Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned. “Had a nice ‘all right, all right’ with the group. ‘All right, 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.

During a late timeout, with Los Angeles up by 23 factors and three:29 remaining, Redick chided Doncic for being caught at 48 factors.

“I’m trying to get the guy 50, and yeah, I’d already given him three chances,” Redick mentioned. “I gave a fourth chance. He gets fouled, and then 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 for the Lakers, 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 staff within the playoffs years in the past.

“Just like the same way I see it when I’m on the other side — shocked,” Ayton mentioned when requested what it was wish to witness Doncic’s night time. “Like, ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe he’s doing this. When is he going to miss?’ You know, things like that.

“I needed him to get 50 tonight, although.”