Luka Doncic is not messing around this season. Much has been made about the Los Angeles Lakers star's body transformation and how it would translate to the court this season. It seems to have made a big impact, as Doncic has been on fire as of late.
Doncic returned to the Lakers on Friday as they took on the Memphis Grizzlies. Despite missing the last three games due to injury, Doncic wasted no time in getting back on his scoring ways. He dropped 44 points on the Grizzlies, becoming the first Laker since Kobe Bryant to average 45 points through his first three games, per Dave McMenamin.
Luka Doncic is the first Lakers player to average 45 points over any three-game span since Kobe Bryant in 2007 (per @StatsWilliams)
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 1, 2025
Doncic has missed the last three games of the Lakers due to a finger and a leg injury. Prior to his absence, though, the Lakers star was on fire in the first two games of the season. He started the season with a 43-point performance against the Golden State Warriors, where he also added 12 rebounds and nine assists. In the following game, Doncic dropped 49 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves, along with 11 rebounds and eight assists.
Without Doncic, the Lakers stumbled in the next three games. An Austin Reaves game-winner against the Timberwolves in their previous game saved them from losing the three Doncic-less games. With Doncic back in the fold, though, the Lakers got a major boost against the Grizzlies. Aside from his 44 points, Doncic added 12 rebounds and six assists to put the Lakers at 4-2 this season.
The Lakers still aren't playing close to full strength, even with Doncic's return. LeBron James is yet to make his season debut with the team.
