Luka Doncic. Image via: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Luka Doncic-led the Los Angeles Lakers beat the visiting Toronto Raptors 131-125, though a 26-point lead got thin late. Both point to a scoring pace no one has topped through six games since Michael Jordan in 1986-87, and the Lakers host the Miami Heat on Monday. The league posted the stat line within hours, then added a second note about how fast his season has started.
Luka Doncic finished Sunday with 45 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, five steals and eight three-pointers, and the NBA says no player has ever put those numbers together in one game. Luka Doncic went 8-for-12 from deep, matching a season high for threes, and added a block to the line. The league says he is the first player to reach 15 rebounds, five assists, five steals and five threes in one game. Austin Reaves scored 19, Walker Kessler had 16 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks, and Collin Sexton added 14. Los Angeles shot 53.8% from the floor and 48.6% from three but committed 24 turnovers. Toronto rallied late after trailing by as many as 26. Scottie Barnes scored 29 for the Raptors, RJ Barrett had 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Jamison Battle added 20. Through six games, Doncic has 226 points. The NBA says only Michael Jordan in 1986 and Wilt Chamberlain, twice, have reached 225 that fast since 1960. His 37.7 points per game is the most since Jordan in 1986-87 and the highest through six games for any Laker.
“I think this year, I really took a step forward,” he said. “Luka doesn’t get enough credit for his defense,” the center said. The Slovenian guard had help. Doncic also talked defense afterward. Kessler agreed.