PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 14: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with head coach JJ Redick during the first half of the NBA preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kelsey Grant/Getty Images)
Getty
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with head coach JJ Redick
A high-scoring battle in Los Angeles, California, included a first for Luka Doncic.
For the first time, Doncic had a 50-point outing as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. It came during a 142-130 win against the Chicago Bulls on March 13.
Despite the return of LeBron James, Doncic had enough shots to go off. He did just that.
The star guard went 17-31 from the field, knocking down nine three-pointers. He also made all but one of his shots from the free-throw line.
In the end, Doncic finished the game with 51 points. He nearly had a triple-double, coming down with 10 rebounds and dishing out nine assists.
JJ Redick Reacts To Luka Doncic’s 50-Piece vs Bulls
GettyCHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 10: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a dunk during the second half of the basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on November 10, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
“He’s been high volume, high efficiency for a few months now,” Redick told reporters during his postgame press conference.
“He’s playing as well as anybody in the NBA right now. It’s probably not being talked about enough, but I’m gonna talk about it.”
Daniel Starkand
JJ Redick on Luka:
“He’s playing as well as anybody in the NBA right now. It’s probably not being talked about enough, but I’m gonna talk about it.”
Since entering the NBA, Doncic has been one of the top guards in the game. He collected the Rookie of the Year award as a 19-year-old out of Slovenia in 2018-2019.
From that point on, Doncic steadily stayed in the NBA’s MVP conversation, though he’s never won it or finished as a runner-up.
Doncic spent seven seasons playing for the Dallas Mavericks. He appeared in 422 games, averaging 28.6 points, while shooting 47% from the field throughout the first phase of his career.
During the 2024-2025 NBA season, Doncic was shockingly traded from the Mavericks to the Lakers. Although Doncic didn’t demand or simply request the trade, he embraced the move to join one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises.
Last year, Doncic appeared in 28 games for the Lakers. He made 43% of his shots, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists.
The 2025-2026 NBA season marks the first full run for Doncic in LA. Leading up to Thursday’s action against Chicago, Doncic had 53 appearances.
Seeing the court for 35.5 minutes per game, the star guard has been averaging 47% from the field and 36% from three. He leads the league in three-point attempts per game. He’s also currently the NBA’s scoring leader with 32.5 points per game.
The Lakers Remain Strong
GettyPHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 26: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 26, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 113-110. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Although there is a steep drop off from the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference standings, the Lakers are maintaining their position as the third seed in the West.
Thursday’s victory over the Bulls was their fourth in a row. They are now 41-25 on the season. The Houston Rockets trail the Lakers by 0.5 games.
After the victory over Chicago, the Lakers will host the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, March 14. Then, they are set to have a high-stakes matchup on the road against the Houston Rockets. That game could have major seeding implications.