Luka Doncic is off to a historic start for his first full season in Los Angeles, breaking multiple records in just two games. With this current version of Luka leading the way, the Lakers have a clear path to becoming a championship contender.
How He Made History
- Became the first player in NBA history to begin a season with back-to-back games of 40+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists.
- Set the Lakers franchise mark for most points through the first two games of a season with 92 points (surpassing Jerry West).
- Posted the most points ever by a guard through a team’s first two games of a season.
Lakers Fans Are Spoiled
It’s okay. Somebody’s got to live this life.
For years, Lakers fans have watched LeBron casually break records every other day. It’s something a lot of us can take for granted. And honestly, sometimes it can get tiring hearing about an obscure, niche record being broken almost every game. Now in his first full season as a Laker, Luka Doncic is already stepping up in LeBron’s absence — breaking records, making history, and giving stat nerds something new to obsess over.
Skinny Luka Is Different
The transformation is real. Luka looks quicker, lighter, and way more explosive deep into games. There’s a noticeable difference in how he’s moving, battling, and celebrating. When Doncic has that extra bounce, defenses lose options fast.
You can see the change most on defense. He’s staying in front of his man more consistently, showing better footwork and balance. Even Luka’s admitted he doesn’t get tired as easily anymore. The stamina, the speed, the swagger — it’s all coming together at the right time.
The Supporting Cast
We caught a glimpse of what this team can be when the supporting cast punches back. They were able to convincingly beat Minnesota, a team they struggled with in last year’s playoffs and one that reached the Western Conference Finals two years in a row. When the role players do their jobs and match Luka’s intensity, everything opens up. Leads start ballooning, tempo slows, and opponents get uncomfortable.
Ideally, he won’t have to keep doing this every game. It’s a long season, and you don’t want your superstar burning fuel in October. But basketball has its nights — bad whistles, cold shooting, injuries — when someone has to wear the cape. That’s what separates stars from scorers, and those grind-it-out wins he delivers now could be the difference when the standings tighten in March. Luka shouldn’t have to score 40 every night. But the fact that he can whenever the Lakers need it is the type of floor you can build a championship team on.
LeBron’s Absence
With Luka playing at this level, it’s pretty clear that this team can stay afloat while LeBron heals. They have a guy who can put the team on his back and carry them to victory.
But don’t get it twisted. The Lakers aren’t better without LeBron James. They’ll need that second All-NBA player to really be a contender.
When you reintroduce a Hall of Famer who hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down to a team that’s been winning, building chemistry, and developing confidence without him, that’s when things get scary. The Lakers won’t just be surviving LeBron’s absence — they’ll be returning him to a group that’s sharper, deeper, and ready to contend.
