Luka Doncic Returns With 44 Points as Lakers Rally Past Grizzlies

After missing three games with a sprained finger and leg contusion, Luka Doncic returned Friday night looking as if he never left. The Lakers’ star guard flew separately to Memphis to rejoin the team and immediately delivered another signature performance, scoring 44 points to power Los Angeles past the Grizzlies, 117–112.

It was Doncic’s third straight 40-point outing to start the season, making him only the second player in NBA history—after Wilt Chamberlain—to reach that feat in three consecutive games to open a year. His scoring tear also places him alongside Chamberlain and Michael Jordan as the only players to score at least 125 points through their first three games of a season.

In addition to his offensive explosion, Doncic added 12 rebounds and six assists, leading a furious second-half rally as the Lakers erased a 15-point deficit. The victory gave Los Angeles its first win of NBA Cup group play and reaffirmed the team’s identity behind its dynamic playmaker.

“I feel great,” Doncic said postgame. “But obviously, if we get a win, I feel even better. That’s the whole point — trying to help the team win. Sometimes that’s scoring, sometimes other things.”

1. Historic Company and Sky-High Expectations

Doncic’s scoring spree has thrust him into elite statistical territory. Through his first three games, he has tallied 136 points — averaging 45.3 per game — a mark no Lakers player has reached since Kobe Bryant’s peak years. The combination of volume and efficiency has placed the 25-year-old in the early conversation for MVP consideration, even as he downplays comparisons to legends. When asked if he could maintain a 40-point-per-game average over a full season, Doncic laughed it off. “That’s going to be tough,” he said. “Sometimes they’re going to double me more. Sometimes I won’t be able to score that much. I had three or four shots that were crazy ones tonight. They were terrible shots, to be honest.” Teammate Austin Reaves, who had filled in as the Lakers’ lead scorer during Doncic’s absence, wasn’t ready to dismiss the idea. Reaves told reporters earlier this week he thought Doncic could sustain that pace, prompting Doncic to joke, “Austin’s stupid.” Still, Doncic’s dominance has reinvigorated the Lakers’ offense, giving them both a scoring anchor and emotional lift. His ability to take over early in games — averaging 13 points in first quarters — has allowed Los Angeles to dictate tempo and confidence from the outset.

2. Supporting Cast Finds Its Rhythm

Even with Doncic stealing headlines, the Lakers’ supporting cast provided timely contributions. Reaves, despite a slow start, finished as the team’s second-leading scorer with 21 points. His return to a complementary role allowed him to focus on spacing and playmaking, areas where his chemistry with Doncic was evident throughout the second half. Marcus Smart, back after missing two games with a right quad injury, added 12 points, four assists, and two steals, providing a defensive spark that helped Los Angeles hold off Memphis’ late push. Jake LaRavia, facing his former team, chipped in 13 points, five rebounds, and three steals in one of his most complete performances of the season. The Lakers were forced to adjust after center Deandre Ayton exited at halftime with back spasms. Ayton, who had scored nine points on 4-for-6 shooting in the first half, spent the third quarter in the locker room trying to loosen up but wasn’t needed as Los Angeles closed the game strong. Coach JJ Redick said Ayton is expected to return Sunday against Miami. That upcoming matchup will be another test — and another showcase — for Doncic, who continues to set the tone for a team learning to balance star power with collective execution.

3. Lakers Gain Confidence Ahead of Home Stretch

For the Lakers, Friday’s win represented more than another entry in the standings. It signaled renewed belief and cohesion after a stretch defined by injuries and uncertainty. With LeBron James still sidelined due to sciatica, Los Angeles has leaned on Doncic’s playmaking brilliance and the emergence of its younger core to stay competitive in the early going. Head coach JJ Redick credited the group’s poise down the stretch, particularly after Memphis pushed the lead to double digits in the third quarter. “We stayed together,” Redick said. “Luka was special, but everyone contributed — defensively, on the glass, and in the details.” The Lakers now turn their attention to the Miami Heat on Sunday, where they’ll look to build on their momentum in front of a home crowd. If Doncic continues his blistering form, he could join Chamberlain as the only player ever to start a season with four straight 40-point games. As teammate Marcus Smart put it, struggling to find the right word: “Fantasticness. That’s what Luka’s doing right now. It’s been great to watch.”