NBA11 hours ago2 minute read

Luka Doncic Drops 53 Points as Lakers Beat Blazers

Luka Doncic scored 53 points against Portland, pushing his season scoring average to 40.1 points per game for the Los Angeles Lakers.

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A Historic Scoring Pace

Luka Doncic delivered another massive performance on Friday, scoring a season high 53 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-118 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena. The 27 year old star hit a 62 foot shot at the halftime buzzer to key a comeback. He has now scored at least 40 points in four straight games, joining Kobe Bryant, Elgin Baylor, and George Mikan as the only Lakers to accomplish that feat.

Through 10 games, Doncic is averaging 40.1 points per game. He has scored 361 points through his first nine games, a mark trailing only Wilt Chamberlain in NBA history. Chamberlain scored 472 points through nine games in the 1962 season and 455 points in 1961. Michael Jordan holds the highest mark in the 3 point era with 37.1 points per game in 1986, while James Harden reached 36.1 in 2018.

Leading the Lakers Attack

Doncic has taken full advantage of his role in Los Angeles following the offseason departure of LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers. He currently captains the top offense in the league. Entering Friday, Doncic led the NBA in scoring, shot attempts, three point attempts, free throw attempts, usage rate, player efficiency rating, and win shares.

This was his sixth game with over 40 points this season and his second breaking the 50 point mark. He now has 11 career 50 point games, which ties him for 10th all time. Trail Blazers coach Micah Nori praised Doncic before the game, calling him the MVP right now hands down. Lakers coach JJ Redick stated that Doncic can do some things that maybe a handful, if not no one, can do in basketball.

Looking at the Big Picture

No player since Chamberlain in the 1962 season has finished a year averaging 40 points per game. Doncic previously posted a career best average of 33.9 points per game with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2023 to 2024 season.

Doncic remains focused on team success over early individual marks. He noted that it is a long season with 72 games left, adding that as long as the team keeps winning, he is good.

What it means for the next game

Los Angeles Lakers at Detroit Pistons (NBA, Sun, 08 Nov): Detroit Pistons win 70%, Los Angeles Lakers win 30%; projected score Detroit Pistons 114, Los Angeles Lakers 107. Our safest pick: Lakers +14.5.

Los Angeles Lakers at Atlanta Hawks (NBA, Tue, 10 Nov): Atlanta Hawks win 47%, Los Angeles Lakers win 53%; projected score Atlanta Hawks 115, Los Angeles Lakers 115. Our safest pick: Lakers +8.5.