Is Luka Dončić already an MVP lock? Lakers star continues torrid start with 52-point outburst

LOS ANGELES – Portland Trail Blazers head coach Micah Nori had the utmost praise for Luka Dončić when he spoke with reporters at Crypto.com Arena on Friday afternoon, saying the Slovenian superstar “can do anything in the world.”

Dončić proved his opponent’s point in the closing seconds of the first half when he launched a 62-footer from the top of the opposite key. The crowd held their breath with what felt more like anticipation than anxiety as the ball floated high in the air before coming back down and banking into the net for yet another unreal buzzer-beater.

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What made the shot even more notable, perhaps, was that the Lakers had collectively struggled shooting the ball up to that point, starting 0-for-15 from 3-point range and falling behind by as many as 16. Dončić’s shot at the end of the half was just LA’s fourth make from deep in 23 attempts; it also sent the Lakers into the locker room having cut the Portland lead to just seven points.

But what ensued from there was the real Luka Magic.

The Lakers dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Trail Blazers 34-15 in the frame behind 20 points from Dončić, who has now dropped at least 40 in four consecutive games, joining Kobe Bryant, Elgin Baylor and George Mikan as the only players in franchise history to do so. Dončić finished the night with 52 points, five rebounds and five assists.

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The 27-year old has completely kicked in the door and is dominating the early MVP conversation amid this historic hot streak.

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A close up of the Li-Ning sneakers worn by Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors during their game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Chase Center on October 23, 2026 in San Francisco, California.

(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)

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See the coolest sneakers of the NBA season

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Publish date : 2026-11-07 06:09:00

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