Lakers’ Luka Doncic reaches 40-point average, draws Wilt Chamberlain comparisons

Luka Doncic has reached the point where the historical comparisons mostly involve Wilt Chamberlain.

That’s usually a pretty good indication of how things are going.

Doncic scored 53 points in Friday’s 124-118 win over the Trail Blazers, pushing his season average to 40.1 through nine appearances. The Lakers have played 10 games. He has already scored at least 40 six times and topped 50 twice.

“Luka can do some things that maybe a handful, if not no one, can do in basketball,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said, via ESPN⁠.

According to ESPN Research, Chamberlain is the only player to score more than Doncic’s 361 points through his first nine games of a season. He’s also the last player to average 40 for an entire season, accomplishing that in 1962-63.

Keeping that pace is a considerable assignment. Doncic seems more interested in where it takes the Lakers.

“It’s obviously a long season,” he said. “We’re 10 games in. We’ve got 72 left. As long as we’re winning, I’m good. I got [the shots] up today, I’m not going to lie. Hopefully it continues, but you never know.”

The Lakers have the NBA’s top-ranked offense, with Doncic taking control following LeBron James’ departure. Friday’s performance included a 62-foot halftime buzzer-beater and his fourth consecutive game with at least 40 points.

Opposing coaches don’t need the history lesson to understand the problem.

“[Doncic] is the MVP right now,” Blazers coach Micah Nori said before the game. “Hands down.”

Whether Doncic can sustain a 40-point average is a question for much later. For opponents, figuring out how to keep him below it is already a nightly concern.

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