Luka Dončić has dominated opposing defenses for the Los Angeles Lakers through the first two games of the season. In the opener against the Golden State Warriors, Dončić scored 43 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and added nine assists and two steals in a narrow loss. He then outdid himself in Los Angeles’ second game, scoring 49 points with 11 rebounds and eight assists in a competitive matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Through two contests, Dončić has produced multiple record-breaking performances and appears to be in peak form.
For starters, he tied the Lakers’ franchise record for most points in a single quarter, finishing with 23 in the first quarter Friday night. He also became only the fourth player in NBA history to open a season with back-to-back 40-plus point games, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan and Anthony Davis. Perhaps most impressively, Dončić is now just the second player ever to post consecutive games of at least 40 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists on 60 percent shooting or better at any point in a season. Chamberlain was the first to accomplish that feat back in 1963.
However, Los Angeles may have to navigate its next contest without the superstar guard. Early in the first half Friday, Dončić appeared to aggravate a finger on his non-shooting hand. He completed the game with the finger wrapped, but according to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, he has been listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings due to a left finger sprain.
Considering the Lakers are already without LeBron James, and given how heavily Dončić has carried the offensive load, his absence would leave a dramatic void on both ends of the floor. At 1–1 entering Sunday night, Los Angeles will hope for encouraging news on Dončić’s status as they seek to avoid early-season slippage in a competitive Western Conference.
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