Luka Doncic is keeping things realistic after being asked if he can average 40 points per game this season. Following another dominant performance, the Lakers star was quick to downplay the possibility, explaining that defenses will adjust and force him to take smarter shots moving forward.
“That’s going to be tough,” Doncic said, via ESPN. “Sometimes they’re going to double me more. Sometimes I won’t be able to score that much. I think I had three or four shots that were crazy shots that I felt like doing, but they were terrible shots. I’ve got to work on that. But that’s tough. I don’t know.”
Doncic’s start to the season has been nothing short of historic. In just three games, he’s averaging 45.3 points per night while shooting efficiently (58.4%) and leading the Lakers to key early wins. His offensive arsenal has been on full display, combining his trademark step-backs with improved shot selection and better conditioning. Despite the remarkable scoring run, Doncic insists that his focus isn’t on chasing records, but on doing whatever it takes to help his team win.
“I mean, I feel great,” Doncic said after Friday’s win. “But obviously, if we get a win, I feel even better. So that’s the whole point, trying to help the team to win. And sometimes it’s going to be scoring, sometimes other things.”
Luka came to the Lakers at the lowest point of his career. In the aftermath of a shocking trade from the Mavericks, his conditioning and work ethic were exposed, leading to major concerns about his basketball future.
But after a first-round loss to the Timberwolves, Doncic recommitted himself to the gym, and the results have been amazing. At 26 years old, he’s setting a historic pace as a Laker, all while leading them to a top-five spot in the West.
After dropping 44 points in the win against the Grizzlies, Doncic showed that his “hot start” may be a hint of what’s to come rather than a flukey shooting streak. Sustaining this play for the season, however, will be nearly impossible.
Wilt Chamberlain remains the last NBA player to average 40 points per game in a season, pulling it off twice over his iconic career (1961-62, 1962-63). Not a single player has hit the mark since Wilt, but Austin Reaves says Luka can be the first to do it in over 50 years.
Only time will tell if he’s right, but if anybody has a shot, it’s Luka. There are no weaknesses to his game offensively, and he has the green light to shoot as many times as he wants. If he can stay healthy this season, the 2025-26 campaign could be one of historic proportions for the Slovenian superstar. For now, he’s just going to take it one game at a time.
For Luka Doncic, this is more than just an early hot streak. It is the culmination of years of growth, discipline, and maturity. He has evolved from a flashy young star into a complete offensive force who can dominate every possession and make his teammates better in the process. Averaging 40 points for a season might be unrealistic, but what is becoming clear is that Luka’s greatness has no ceiling. If he keeps this pace, he will not just make history for the Lakers, he will redefine it.
