Luka Doncic breaks Lakers records and outshines LeBron

On a night to forget in Atlanta, Luka Doncic carved out a golden chapter in Lakers history. While the team was outplayed from start to finish by a depleted Hawks squad, the Slovenian guard reached the 1,000-point mark wearing the purple and gold. And he did it in just 39 games. That makes Doncic the fastest player ever to hit that milestone for the franchise. Not even Kobe, Shaq, or LeBron James got there that quickly. The outlet Marca highlighted the achievement amid the team’s collective collapse.

Saturday night’s game on November 8 at State Farm Arena was supposed to be a chance for the Lakers to keep their momentum going. Luka Doncic knew it. But without LeBron James and Austin Reaves, the team showed its worst defensive version of the season. Mouhamed Gueye dropped 19 points with near-perfect shooting, exposing a slow and disorganized defense. The Lakers lost by more than 20 and saw their five-game winning streak snapped.

Efficiency on display

Still, Luka Doncic was the lone bright spot. In just 27 minutes, he tallied 22 points, 11 assists, and five rebounds before JJ Redick pulled the starters. His impact was as clear as his efficiency. So far this season, Doncic is averaging 28.9 points, 10.2 assists, and 8.3 rebounds, shooting over 50% from the field. His chemistry with Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia has turned the Lakers’ offense into one of the most fluid in the West.

 

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Beyond the stats, what stands out is how quickly Luka Doncic has taken over the team’s leadership. Since arriving, he’s turned every possession into a show. He’s also forced the franchise to build its offensive system around his vision and creativity. This is no longer just LeBron’s team—Luka’s name is now part of the identity.

Leadership in motion

The loss in Atlanta exposed the limitations of a roster hit by injuries. But it also confirmed that the Lakers have found their new cornerstone in Luka Doncic. In less than half a season, he’s already shown he’s ready to lead with greatness in a franchise built on icons.

As one fan wrote on social media after the game: “The torch has officially been passed.” And with every game, Luka Doncic holds it tighter.