Luka Dončić’s arrival in Los Angeles has already begun to make waves, with his latest performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder adding yet another chapter to the Lakers’ storied history. On Sunday afternoon, Dončić and the Lakers delivered an impressive 126-99 victory over the Thunder, with the young star playing a key role in the dominant win.
Dončić finished the game with an impressive stat line: 30 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. His performance was efficient, shooting 11-of-20 from the field and 5-of-11 from beyond the arc, in 37 minutes of play. In doing so, Dončić not only led his team to victory but also made a historic mark with the Lakers.
As noted by StatMamba, Dončić has now surpassed a significant milestone, achieving the most 30-point games in a season by a Lakers guard since Kobe Bryant in 2013. This remarkable feat places Dončić among some of the greats in the Lakers’ rich history, further solidifying his impact since joining the team.
Since his arrival in LA, Dončić has been an integral part of the Lakers’ success. With averages of 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, he has quickly adapted to the Lakers’ system. His shooting splits of 42.1% from the field and 35.8% from three-point range in 25 games have proven to be effective, making him a force on both ends of the court.
The Lakers, now sitting at 48-30, eclipsed their win total from the previous season with this victory. With just four games remaining in the regular season, the Lakers have secured the third seed in the Western Conference. This victory also marked a notable achievement for the team, as they defeated the NBA’s No. 1-ranked team in the Thunder, who had been enjoying a remarkable season.
In addition to Dončić’s 30-point performance, the Lakers received strong contributions across the board. Austin Reaves chipped in 20 points and 3 assists, LeBron James added 19 points, 7 assists, and 3 rebounds, and D’Angelo Russell finished with 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from three-point range. Gabe Vincent also made his mark with 12 points, shooting 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. This well-rounded performance helped the Lakers secure their second consecutive victory and improve to 5-5 in their last ten games.
With the win, the Lakers continue their playoff push, and a rematch with the Thunder is scheduled for Tuesday night in Oklahoma City. As the regular season winds down, all eyes will be on Dončić and the Lakers as they aim to make a deep playoff run, fueled by their new superstar and the team’s growing chemistry.
The future looks bright for the Los Angeles Lakers, and with Luka Dončić leading the charge, they are primed for an exciting postseason.