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Luka Doncic scored 49 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and passed off eight assists to lead the Los Angeles Lakers’ 128-110 thrashing of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday (October 25). Doncic, who scored 43 points in a season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors, became the first Laker and fourth overall to open a season with back-to-back 40-point efforts. The 6-foot-6 Slovenian guard joins former Lakers legends Anthony Davis (2016-2017) and Wilt Chamberlain (1961-62; 1962-63) [though neither did it for the Lakers] and Hall of Fame former Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan (1986-1987). Doncic is also the first ever player in NBA history to open a season with back-to-back games of 40+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists. His 92 points are the most in the first two games of the season for a Laker, surpassing Jerry West’ 81. The 26-year-old Slovenian guard scored 23 points in the first quarter to match another team record shared by Kobe Bryant and Kyle Kuzma. “They didn’t have much when I was attacking the paint in the first half,” Doncic said. “In the second half, we had energy.” Coach JJ Redick was all praise for his point guard, saying: “He managed the game really well. By that, I mean we needed him and we had to have him scoring early. They had some shots, we made some defensive mistakes, and talked about it in timeout… They went to double teams, he became a willing passer. Defensively, early, I thought they really attacked him, he responded to that with his defense. Halfway through the first quarter he was very good and then, just, if you get 11 rebounds out of your point guard, it’s just awesome.” Other results Amid an FBI gambling probe that saw Miami’s Terry Rozier and Portland coach Chauncey Billups arrested, the Heat erupted for a 146-114 win at Memphis, with Bam Adebayo scoring 24 and Nikola Jovic 20. Portland, led by interim coach Tiago Splitter, beat Golden State 139-119 as Deni Avdija scored 26. Donovan Mitchell’s 35 lifted Cleveland past Brooklyn, Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated in Milwaukee’s win, and Victor Wembanyama starred in San Antonio’s OT triumph. Washington, Detroit, New York, and Sacramento also secured victories.
