It’s still early in the season—just ten games in—to start MVP debates, but don’t tell that to the fans at Crypto.com Arena. Every time Lakers guard Luka Doncic steps to the free-throw line, the crowd chants “M-V-P! M-V-P!” loudly, fueled by his dazzling display.
Après scoring a season-high 53 points in the Lakers’ 124-118 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, Doncic is averaging an eye-popping 40.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists—a historic scoring spree. He has become just the fourth Laker to post four straight games of 40 or more points, and the third to hit at least 35 points in seven games this season.
What’s impressive is his efficiency: despite a rare cold shooting night from beyond the arc on Friday (5-of-15), his overall shooting percentage remains close to 50%. He shot 12-of-18 from two-point range, demonstrating his versatile scoring ability.
Here are three key insights from the win:
Is it too soon to crown an MVP?
Lakers center Walker Kessler was somewhat speechless trying to capture Doncic’s brilliance, eventually saying, “He’s my MVP.” This is not new territory for Doncic, a two-time scoring champion who finished third in MVP voting last year with Dallas after averaging nearly a triple-double and leading his team to the NBA Finals.
However, this season feels different. Portland’s coach Micah Nori commented before Friday’s game that Doncic is not only in peak shape but also surrounded by the ideal supporting cast—floor spacers, tough perimeter defenders, and a dominant rolling center—creating what Nori called “a perfect offensive storm.” He bluntly stated, “He’s the MVP right now. Hands down.”
While Lakers coach JJ Redick prefers to hold off MVP talk until at least 50 games into the season, Doncic already tops NBA.com’s first MVP ladder, ahead of standout San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama—a player averaging 29.1 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4.2 blocks per game.
Doncic’s 53-point game surpasses Wembanyama’s 52-point effort recently, though Wembanyama also recorded 24 rebounds and eight blocks, a historic line comparable only to Wilt Chamberlain. The French star was last year’s runner-up for MVP and the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year. His defense makes him a strong MVP contender.
Doncic, who received no MVP votes in a preseason poll of NBA executives, is conscious about improving his defense, averaging 1.7 steals per game (second-best on the Lakers) and tied for the league lead with four charges drawn. His defensive grit and pride were praised by teammate Sandro Mamukelashvili, highlighting a determination not to be taken lightly.
On offense, Doncic is chasing Chamberlain’s legendary numbers with 361 points in his first nine games, the highest since Chamberlain scored 472 in 1962-63. No one has averaged 40 points over a full season since then, but Doncic remains focused on winning, saying, “As long as we win, I’m good.”
Currently, the Lakers stand at 8-2 with the top Western Conference record—their best start since the championship season.
Adou Thiero’s Return
Adou Thiero finally made his season debut with a vibrant performance of four points, four rebounds, and two assists after missing nine games due to knee swelling. Right away, he proved valuable by hustling to keep a loose ball alive, which led to a put-back basket.
Coach Redick praised him, saying Thiero did “everything we asked him to do.” After a history of knee injuries dating back to college, including surgery and a sprained MCL that delayed his rookie season and sidelined him again for six weeks, Thiero is showing the potential that was previously hampered.
Throughout summer practices, Thiero impressed teammates with his athleticism, defense, and energy, and he brought this intensity to the court on Friday, earning high praise from Kessler as a “very physical, talented, athletic player.”
Defensive Strategy Holds Firm
Despite the Lakers missing their first 15 three-point attempts and trailing by seven at halftime, their defense kept them competitive. Forcing 24 turnovers and limiting Portland to only 15 third-quarter points showcased their defensive resilience.
Forward Jake LaRavia highlighted the importance of defense when shots aren’t falling, emphasizing how it helped keep the team in the game. The Lakers rank low in defensive rating (21st) and rebounding (29th), so they rely heavily on blocks and steals, ranking third in the NBA with 10.7 steals per game. Matisse Thybulle leads with 1.8 steals, and Austin Reaves led the team with four steals in the game.
Fan Take:
Luka Doncic’s explosive start with the Lakers signals a thrilling season ahead—his scoring prowess combined with improved defense could reshape the MVP race and challenge the league’s top stars. For basketball fans, witnessing a historic performance like Doncic’s this early raises excitement about the Lakers’ championship potential and may inspire a new era of dynamic, two-way superstars in the NBA.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
