Luka Doncic imposes his dominance with a historic Lakers record

The NBA delivers nights that feel destined to be etched into collective memory, and Luka Doncic’s recent performance against the Milwaukee Bucks is one of them. The Slovenian guard, who has only played a handful of games in purple and gold, reached a milestone reserved for legends. He tied Magic Johnson for tenth place in franchise history for most 40-point regular-season games. Even more striking, Luka did it with 1,053 fewer games than the iconic Lakers point guard.

According to Essentiallysports, Luka Doncic accomplished the feat in just 38 regular-season games (43 if you include the playoffs), while Johnson needed 906 contests. That statistic not only shocks with its speed but also confirms that Doncic’s generational talent is setting a new standard in Los Angeles.

Among the legends

The comparison with Magic is no coincidence. James Worthy, another Lakers legend, had already pointed out before the season began that both players share the ability to read the floor in seconds and anticipate where teammates will be. That vision, combined with Luka Doncic’s scoring ability, makes him a player who challenges the historical benchmarks of the franchise.

Luka Doncic ties Magic Johnson for the 10th most 40+ point games by a Laker all time

HES PLAYED 33 GAMES AS A LAKER!! pic.twitter.com/1MIRPSvNtG

— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) November 16, 2025

The victory over the Bucks provided the perfect stage to reaffirm his dominance. From the opening tip, Luka Doncic set the tone with three straight three-pointers and a personal 10-point run that sparked a 16-2 stretch. By halftime, he had led a 23-2 surge that pushed the score to 63-34. Even though Giannis Antetokounmpo tried to keep Milwaukee alive with 32 points, Doncic’s 41-point masterpiece sealed a blowout and underscored who drives the Lakers’ offense.

Historic impact

Beyond the numbers, Luka Doncic also made history by becoming the first player ever to start a season with back-to-back games of at least 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. In last year’s postseason, despite criticism about his conditioning, he averaged 28.2 points and nearly 8 assists, leading all players in minutes per game. In April, Doncic became the first Laker since Kobe Bryant to record consecutive outings with at least 35 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five three-pointers—a feat Kobe last achieved in 2006.

The impact of Luka Doncic goes far beyond statistics. His presence elevates team chemistry and has restored the Lakers’ sense of having a leader capable of carrying the offense under any circumstance. With the schedule pointing to their next matchup against the Utah Jazz, expectations are high that Doncic will keep adding chapters to a story that has only just begun, but already places him in the conversation alongside the greatest legends of the franchise.