The Los Angeles Lakers started their early-season schedule with a dominant 128-110 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight. This game was marked with high stakes, since the Timberwolves eliminated the Lakers in the playoffs last season, and with LeBron James out with sciatica, all the pressure was on Luka Doncic. Thankfully, Doncic delivered.

Doncic scored a monstrous 49 points, adding 11 rebounds and 8 assists, leading the Lakers to the win. To cap off his scoring run, Doncic caught the ball off an assist from Austin Reaves and brought down a dunk on Jaden McDaniels, earning himself an and-1. The play energized the crowd and earned a big celebration from the Lakers bench, including LeBron, center Jaxson Hayes, and guard Marcus Smart. The moment showcased the team’s chemistry and camaraderie during this dominant run for their teammate and shut down any chatter about potential locker room tension between Doncic and James.

With tonight’s performance, Doncic has marked back-to-back 40+ point games to start the season. His playmaking and scoring kept the Lakers in the game early as he knocked down multiple threes in the first quarter and helped ward off any chance of a Timberwolves comeback late in the game. Doncic’s leadership with James out showcases that he can stabilize the team and have them execute at a high level.

LeBron James‘ absence was felt, but the Lakers demonstrated very impressive efficiency and depth. LA showed above 59% from the floor, moved the ball, and played hard on defense. Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura stepped up alongside Luka Doncic, recording 25 and 23 points respectively, and reinforced the strong team culture and collaboration for this squad, even when star players are sitting.

After the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick commended Doncic: “You get 11 rebounds out of your point guard, is awesome. Just a complete game from him… He managed the game really well…. we had to have him scoring early.” This must have been a huge turn for Redick, who called out the team just a few days ago for not being able to play well in the second half. But at least they won this game.

Luka Dončić breaks records while the Lakers rediscover defensive edge

Luka Doncic’s masterclass tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves made him the first player in Lakers history and just the fourth player behind Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, and Anthony Davis to score back-to-back 40-point games to open a season. Doncic now also holds the record for the most points in Lakers history in the first two games with 92 points, surpassing the previous record set by franchise legend Jerry West back in the 1969-70 season. He also tied Kobe Bryant and Kyle Kuzma for most points in a first quarter in Lakers history since the 1996-97 season with 23 points.

After the game, head coach JJ Redick explained how the season-opening loss against Golden State fueled the team. He explained that practice turned into “a detailed reinforcement” of the lessons from training camp. “You got to get back to the fundamentals of defense,” he said, highlighting how the last two days have been about preparation and structure. He added, “We spent a lot of time both Wednesday and Thursday on that, and today’s shootaround was more of a mental day. We spent about 40 minutes on the court, but it wasn’t rev them up and go. It was mental for both sides of the ball.”

The Lakers managed to hold Minnesota to under 47% shooting, and flipped an early deficit to dominance, even while Doncic was resting. Deandre Ayton, whose defense was put into question following the Warriors game, impressed Redick with effort and physicality. Between Doncic’s record-breaking night and a new, rediscovered defensive intensity, the Lakers are primed for a big bounce back.