The Los Angeles Lakers faced the Memphis Grizzlies in their first NBA Cup matchup of Group B, with Luka Doncic delivering a formidable performance, maintaining the MVP-level play fans have come to expect.
Doncic kept things realistic when asked if he could average 40 points per game this season. After another dominant showing, the Lakers star was quick to downplay the possibility, noting that defenses will adjust and force him to take smarter shots moving forward.
“That’s going to be tough,” Doncic said, via ESPN. “Sometimes they’re going to double me more. Sometimes I won’t be able to score that much. I think I had three or four shots that were crazy shots that I felt like doing, but they were terrible shots. I’ve got to work on that. But that’s tough. I don’t know.”
Doncic’s start to the season has been historic. In just three games, he is averaging 45.3 points per night with impressive shooting efficiency (58.4% from the field) and has led the Lakers to key victories in this early stretch.
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers.
How Doncic feels about his season so far
His offensive arsenal has been on full display, combining trademark step-back jumpers with improved shot selection and better conditioning. Despite the remarkable scoring run, Doncic insists his focus isn’t on chasing records but on doing whatever it takes to help the Lakers win.
“I mean, I feel great,” Doncic said after Friday’s win. “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.”
After scoring 44 points in the victory over the Grizzlies, Doncic showed that his hot start could be a sign of what’s to come, rather than a temporary scoring streak. Maintaining this level throughout the season, however, will be nearly impossible.
Can Luka reach 40 points per game?
Wilt Chamberlain remains the last player in NBA history to average 40 points per game in a season, accomplishing it twice (1961-62, 1962-63). No player has reached that mark since, but Austin Reaves believes Luka could be the first in more than 50 years to do so.
