Luka Doncic is off to a historic start in the 2025-26 NBA season following the Los Angeles Lakers’ blowout win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
Doncic kicked off the year with a bang, scoring 43 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out nine assists in the Lakers’ season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. He responded once again against the Timberwolves, putting up 49 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in just 35 minutes of action. Doncic shot an efficient 14-of-23 from the field, including 5-of-12 from beyond the arc, and went 16-of-19 from the free-throw line.
The superstar forward made both franchise and league history with his impressive performances, according to NBA insider Brett Siegel. His feats place him alongside legendary players such as Anthony Davis, Michael Jordan, and Wilt Chamberlain.
“With 40-plus points tonight, Luka Doncic has just become the first player in Lakers history to record back-to-back 40-point games to start a season. He is the fourth player in NBA history to do so (Anthony Davis, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain),” Siegel wrote.
### How Luka Doncic and the Lakers Played Against the Timberwolves
Despite it being only the second game of the season, Luka Doncic is already making a strong case for MVP as he led the Lakers to their first win against the Timberwolves.
Minnesota got off to a better start, leading 40-36 after the first quarter. However, it was all Los Angeles from that point forward, as the Lakers outscored the Timberwolves 92-70 over the final three quarters.
Free throws and fouls played a crucial role in the matchup. The Lakers had the advantage in both categories, making 26 free throws on 81.3% accuracy while limiting their fouls to just 20. Conversely, the Timberwolves made 15 free throws on a 71.4% clip but committed 27 fouls.
Four players scored in double digits for Los Angeles, including Doncic. Austin Reaves delivered a standout performance with 25 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. He shot 9-of-15 overall, including 2-of-5 from three-point range, and went a perfect 5-of-5 from the charity stripe.
The Lakers will look forward to their next matchup on the road against the Sacramento Kings on October 26 at 9 p.m. ET.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-luka-doncic-makes-la-history-back-to-back-40-point-games
