Luka Doncic’s historic night powered the Los Angeles Lakers to a 128–110 win over Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, recording a 49-point double-double to secure the team’s first victory of the season.
This marks Doncic’s second 40+ point, 10+ rebound, 5+ assist double-double of the season, making him the first NBA player in history to start a season with back-to-back games at that level.
His first came with 43 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists in the Lakers’ home opener loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.
On Friday, Doncic poured in 49 points on 14-of-23 shooting, adding 11 rebounds and eight assists at home. Austin Reaves chipped in a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds, Rui Hachimura scored 23 points, and Deandre Ayton added 15 points.
Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 31 points, five assists and four rebounds, while Julius Randle added 26 points and nine boards, but their efforts weren’t enough as the team fell to 1-1 on the season.
Fans were buzzing over Doncic’s dominant start to the season, praising him for leading the Lakers to their first win.
Despite trailing by four after the first quarter, the Lakers traded buckets with the Timberwolves in the second, entering halftime with a slim 68-63 lead as Doncic had already racked up 32 points.
With a balanced offensive attack and relentless defense, Los Angeles pulled away in the third, building a double-digit lead they would not relinquish.
An 18-7 run to start the fourth allowed both teams to rest their starters as the quarter wound down, and the Lakers cruised to the win.
Los Angeles will look to carry its momentum on the road Sunday when it faces the Sacramento Kings.
