Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves on Sunday became the first Los Angeles Lakers duo in over 50 years to each score 30+ points in three consecutive games.
No Lakers tandem in the last five decades has achieved the remarkable feat, including the legendary duos of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant and Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
Doncic and Reaves are only the fourth duo overall to achieve the feat in the last 50 years, joining Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard (Milwaukee Bucks, 2023) Monta Ellis and Corey Maggette (Golden State Warriors, 2010) and George Gervin and Mike Mitchell (San Antonio Spurs, 1984).
The NBA announced the following:
“Tonight, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves became the 4th duo in 50 years to each record 30+ PTS in 3 straight games! They join: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard (Bucks, 2023) Monta Ellis and Corey Maggette (Warriors, 2010) George Gervin and Mike Mitchell (Spurs, 1984).”
Lethal Backcourt
While Doncic finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, Reaves poured in 33 points, five rebounds and eight assists, as the Lakers, without LeBron James, beat the New Orleans Pelicans, 133-121, to extend their winning streak to seven games.
During the historic three-game stretch, Doncic is tallying 37.3 points, 10.3 assists and 8.7 rebounds on efficient 49/45/86 shooting splits. Reaves has been equally lethal, averaging 34.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists on unreal 69/63/93 shooting splits.
Doncic’s career-high 35.1 PPG leads the NBA (min. 15 games played). If the Slovenian maintains his scoring pace, he’ll have put together the third-highest individual scoring season of the 21st century — behind James Harden (36.13 in 2018-19) and Kobe Bryant (35.40 in 2005-06).
As for Reaves, the undrafted guard is averaging career-highs across the board — points (28.8), assists (6.8), rebounds (5.8) and steals (1.3). The 27-year-old is almost a lock to make his first All-Star team this season and possibly earn an All-NBA selection.
Lakers Chemistry
With LeBron James appearing in only four of the Lakers’ 19 games, Doncic and Reaves have carried the offensive load flawlessly, leading them to a 15-4 record.
Doncic’s gaudy numbers are the least bit surprising, given his exploits for six-and-a-half seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. However, Reaves’ numbers can be attributed to the gravity of Doncic and the attention defenses give the Slovenian star.
“He draws a lot of attention and then I’m able to play advantage basketball, basically, on the backside of that,” Reaves said of playing alongside Doncic, via LakersNation.
“[With] the gravity that he has on the court, it’s impossible to guard him any certain way because of his ability to pass the ball, his unselfishness and his shot-making ability. Once you blitz him, then you have ‘advantage basketball.’ We like our chances. I thought we got a lot of really good looks that we didn’t make tonight and we still scored 130. I think this offense can go to another level.”
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