NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates 
Ten games is too early for most valuable player conversation. Just don’t tell fans at Crypto.com Arena.
“M-V-P! M-V-P!” the Lakers faithful chant at Luka Doncic every time the Lakers guard toes the free-throw line.
Advertisement
After dropping a season-high 53 points during the Lakers’ 124-118 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, Doncic is averaging 40.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists in a scoring binge for the ages. He’s the fourth Laker to have four consecutive games of 40 or more points. He’s the third to have seven games of 35 or more points.
And he’s doing it efficiently: Doncic’s sky-high shooting percentage dipped to 49.8% after an unusually cold 5-for-15 shooting night from three-point range Friday. He was still 12 for 18 from two-point range.
Here are three takeaways from Friday’s win:
Too early to tell?
Lakers guard Luka Doncic shouts after sinking a three pointer that gave the Lakers a five-point lead over Portland in the third quarter Friday at Crypto.com Arena. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Walker Kessler just shook his head as he grasped for the right words. There might not be many more left to describe what Doncic is doing.
Advertisement
“He’s my MVP,” the Lakers center said eventually.
Being in the most valuable player conversation isn’t new for Doncic. The two-time scoring champion finished third in MVP voting in 2024 with Dallas. He averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists during the regular season then led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals. Each season the do-it-all guard is among the favorites to win the award. But Doncic’s early season campaign feels different. Not only is Doncic in great shape, Portland coach Micah Nori said before Friday’s game, but Doncic also has the right pieces around him after the Lakers remade their roster to complement the star with floor-spacing shooters, strong perimeter defenders and a rolling center.
“It’s a perfect offensive storm,” Nori said. “He’s the MVP right now. Hands down.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick does not engage in MVP discussion until 50 games in, he said. When told Doncic topped NBA.com’s first MVP ladder Friday, the Lakers coach…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/luka-doncics-historic-start-jumpstarts-164352457.html
Author :
Publish date : 2026-11-07 16:43:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
