Luka Doncic is averaging 39.3 points per game, a figure not seen in the NBA since 1963.
That number puts the Los Angeles Lakers star on a historic trajectory, challenging a scoring record held by Wilt Chamberlain for over six decades. The Slovenian guard leads the league in scoring, outperforming Stephen Curry (30.6) and the French Wembanyama (30.1).
A Scoring Feast Unmatched in Modern NBA
Nadie consigue terminar una temporada de la NBA promediando 40 puntos o más desde 1963. Michael Jordan promedió 37,1 en 1987, cerca, pero no suficiente.
Doncic’s current pace has already seen him eclipse the 50-point mark twice this season, pouring in 52 points against the Utah Jazz and 53 against the Portland Blazers. His performance against the Atlanta Hawks, where he recorded 32 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, five steals, and two blocks, was particularly telling. Those numbers in the Lakers other players such as Abdul-Jabbar or Magic Johnson had only achieved once.
Giannis Antetokounmpo offered a glowing assessment of Doncic’s scoring prowess. “He is one of the best scorers in history… or the best. Some people are afraid to say it, but he’s there,” Antetokounmpo said.
Lakers Surging as Team Rebuilds Around Doncic
Doncic’s individual brilliance has translated into team success. The Lakers sit atop the NBA standings with 10 wins and two losses. It’s their best start to a season in seven years.
The team’s success is notable given the departure of LeBron James, who is in the Sixers. The front office, led by general manager Rob Pelinka, has rebuilt the roster to surround Doncic. Key additions include defensive anchor Walker Kessler and role players like Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Ziaire Williams, and Matisse Thybulle.
“When you can build something powerful alongside a star like Luka and rebuild a team around him, there is a commitment,” Pelinka said before the season began.
Kessler, the defensive wall and giant in the paint, has been effusive in his praise for his teammate. “He is the best player in the league,” Kessler stated after the win over the Hawks.
A New Era in Los Angeles
Doncic has clearly embraced his role as the Lakers’ leader. He was an integral part of the decision-making process for this season’s roster additions, even bringing the entire team to Ljubljana (Slovenia) to spend part of the preseason. His focus is singular.
“I think we can win the ring. If I didn’t think that I wouldn’t be here,” Doncic admits.
The 27-year-old’s evolution extends beyond the court. After averaging 110 kilograms at the start of the 25-26 season, he now weighs 104. This commitment followed a difficult year personally with a divorce and a custody battle for his children that became public, after the Lakers fell in the West semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a resounding 4-0 sweep following his second scoring title last season.
The Road Ahead: MVP Candidacy and Health Concerns
Doncic is right now the number one candidate to win the MVP. His combination of scoring, playmaking, and rebounding has been undeniable. However, the long NBA season presents challenges. Doncic has suffered different injuries in recent years that have weighed down his team and his award candidacy.
His availability was already a point of concern this season. On Sunday, for example, he did not play in the victory against the Pistons due to back discomfort, a reminder that his workload—averaging also more than 35 minutes per night—requires careful management.
Can he sustain this historic pace? The 40-point per game average remains a monumental barrier. His four consecutive 40-point games are a feat matched only by Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, and George Mikan in Lakers history, but the season is far from over. His worst scoring output was 23 points in 29 minutes against the Clippers in the second game of the season, after which a hurricane began.
Questions About NBA Scoring Records and Luka Doncic
- Who holds the NBA record for the highest single-season scoring average?
- Wilt Chamberlain holds the record with 44.8 points per game in 1963.
- When was the last time a player averaged 40 points in a season?
- No player has finished an NBA season averaging 40 points or more since 1963, when Wilt Chamberlain averaged 44.8.
- What is Luka Doncic’s current scoring average?
- Luka Doncic is the NBA’s leading scorer with 39.3 points per night.
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