Luka Doncic exploded for the Los Angeles Lakers in their win over the Chicago Bulls.
While Lebron James was listed as questionable for the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, he ended up suiting up against the Chicago Bulls in the team’s 142-130 victory. Something that wasn’t questionable was Luka Doncic’s electric night. Doncic scored 51 points in the Lakers’ win – his highest in a Los Angeles uniform – and was unstoppable as he took over yet another game. Doncic left the game in the fourth quarter to a strong standing ovation, one egged on by James to roar louder. James, in his first game back, scored 18 points with seven rebounds and seven assists.
In addition, the starting five had a historic outing as all starters scored in double digits for a total of 137 points by the first unit – the most scored by a starting lineup in a regulation game since the 1970-71 NBA season according to ESPN research. Lakers coach JJ Redick pointed to a deliberate “team-first approach” and also the selflessness of James to put his team in a position to win and let Doncic and Austin Reeves take the spotlight. Reeves had 30 points on the evening. The other starters were Deandre Ayton with 23 points and Rui Hachimura with 15 points.
Here is the full story from Lakers Roundtable writer Jack Haslett on Doncic’s historic evening as Los Angeles soared to victory.
Interestingly, the Lakers are 8-3 on the year when James isn’t in the top two players in field goal attempts. That bodes well as Doncic and Reaves continue to reach new heights.