The Los Angeles Lakers have found their new dynamic duo, and the numbers don't lie. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are putting up the most combined points of any duo in the NBA this season, and they're doing it without LeBron James on the floor.

NBA (@NBA) on X The dynamic duo of Austin Reaves & Luka Dončić did their thing vs. New Orleans tonight! ✨ Reaves: 31 PTS, 7 AST ✨ Dončić: 24 PTS, 12 AST @Lakers move to 2-0 in @emirates NBA Cup West Group B action!

Through 14 games, the Lakers sit at 10-4, good for fourth place in the Western Conference. The team's success has come on the backs of their two leading scorers, who have stepped up in a big way during James' extended absence with sciatica.

Historic Scoring Pace

Doncic is leading the entire league in scoring at 34.4 points per game through his first 10 appearances. The five-time All-NBA selection has already posted four 40-point games this season, showing he can take over when the Lakers need him most.

His performance against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday showed exactly why he's so dangerous, as he dropped 41 points in a 119-95 blowout win.

Lakersalltheway (@Lakersallthewa3) on X Luka and Reaves have the 2nd highest netrtg as a duo of top 2 options (+21.5) this season behind only SGA and Chet (+24.6)

Meanwhile, Reaves has made the leap to stardom in his fifth season. The undrafted guard out of Oklahoma is averaging 28.3 points per game, and he's been incredibly consistent.

Reaves has scored at least 24 points in all but one game during November, showing the kind of steady production that championship teams need over the course of a season.

Together, the pair is combining for 62.7 points per game, the highest total of any duo in the league, but they are also getting their teammates involved. 

According to statistician Greg Harvey, Doncic and Reaves became the first teammates ever to each record more than 200 points and 50 assists through their first seven games of a season.

Greg Harvey (@BetweenTheNums) on X Teammates in NBA HISTORY to each have 200+ points & 50+ assists through their first seven games of a season: Luka Doncic & Austin Reaves (2025-26) That’s it.

The LeBron Factor

The big question facing the Lakers is what happens when LeBron James returns. The 40-year-old superstar has been practicing with the team's G-League affiliate and is expected to make his season debut around November 18 against the Utah Jazz.

James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists last season, so his return will clearly add another scoring threat.

Dave McMenamin (@mcten) on X “I mean, LeBron’s played basketball [for a long time]. It’s his [23rd] season … He knows everything about it … First of all, it’s defense. When we get stops, we can get anything.” - Luka Doncic on the key to reintegrating LeBron James to the Lakers

But will it hurt the chemistry that Dončić and Reaves have built? Head coach JJ Redick will need to figure out how to balance the touches and keep everyone happy.

The Lakers have shown they can win without James, going 10-4 to start the year. That's a luxury not many teams have, but when James does return, the Lakers could have three legitimate scoring threats, which would make them even harder to defend.

Can Reaves Be an All-Star?

One of the most interesting storylines this season is whether Austin Reaves can earn his first All-Star selection. His numbers certainly warrant consideration.

Averaging over 28 points and 8 assists per game would typically be enough to get into the conversation, especially in a league that values guard play.

Redick has already called Reaves an "All-Star-level player," and it's hard to argue with him. Reaves' career-high 51 points against Sacramento on October 26 showed he can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league.

🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) on X Austin Reaves’s career scoring numbers: 2022: 7.3 PPG 2023: 13.0 PPG 2024: 15.9 PPG 2025: 20.2 PPG 2026: 28.3 PPG He really went from a single digit scorer to a near 30 point bucket.

If he keeps this up and the Lakers keep winning, he'll be tough to ignore when the All-Star votes are counted.

The Lakers' success this season will largely depend on how well Doncic and Reaves continue to play together and how seamlessly James can fit back into the rotation.

But for now, the Lakers have the NBA's most dangerous scoring duo, and they're making the most of it.