When the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Luka Doncic, most people thought he would one day become the face of the team. Few expected him to become one of the most dominant Lakers so quickly.
The NBA announced Doncic as part of the 2025-26 All-NBA First Team. This is his sixth First Team honor, but his first as a Laker. At 27, he is only the fifth player ever to earn six First Team selections before turning 28, joining some of the sport’s all-time greats.
The 2025-26 Kia All-NBA First Team:
▪️ Cade Cunningham, @DetroitPistons
▪️ Luka Dončić, @Lakers
▪️ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, @okcthunder
▪️ Nikola Jokić, @nuggets
▪️ Victor Wembanyama, @spurs pic.twitter.com/tGjHUx2qQi— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 24, 2026
One of the Best Offensive Seasons
Luka had a season that ranks among the best individual years in recent Lakers history. He led the NBA in scoring with 33.5 points per game and also averaged 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.6 steals over 64 games.
His scoring was historic for the Lakers. Luka’s 33.5 points per game is the fifth-highest average in team history. He had 44 games with at least 30 points, the most by any Laker in the last 20 years. He also set a new team record with 254 made three-pointers in his first full season.
Luka’s season stood out because his offensive game was so complete. Teams could not just focus on stopping his scoring. He also broke down defenses with his playmaking and vision. He ranked among the league leaders in assists and controlled the pace of games no matter the opponent.
The Defining March
Doncic was great all season, but his play in March made the year truly special. The Lakers went 15-2 that month, and Luka scored 600 points, joining Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history to reach that mark in March.
During that stretch, Luka had 13 straight games with at least 30 points, seven games with 40 points, and two games with 50 points. He also scored 60 points in Miami, which became one of the highlights of his Lakers career so far.
Luka’s impact was about more than just big numbers or highlights. With him leading the offense, the Lakers looked like a new team, and the organization finally seemed to have a clear direction for the future.
Luka Has Fully Embraced the Pressure of Los Angeles
The Lakers are unique because they expect their players to be superstars. Anyone who wears the uniform is always compared to legends like Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James.
Luka did not shy away from that pressure for a second.
He led the NBA in All-Star fan voting and won several Western Conference Player of the Month awards, showing he was ready to be the team’s leader. His first All-NBA First Team selection as a Laker feels less like a start and more like proof that the Lakers are now in the Luka era.
