Luka Dončić continues to achieve Lakers feats not seen since Kobe Bryant
Luka Dončić continues to etch his name in the Lakers history books with his start to the 2026-27 season.
Dončić had 24 points at halftime of the Lakers’ home game against the Heat on Monday night.
The showing made Dončić the first Lakers player to score at least 20 points in the first half in five straight games since Kobe Bryant in 2007.
“I don’t take it for granted,” coach JJ Redick said pregame. “A lot of times you can just be agog at his offensive prowess. Watching some of the tape [Sunday] night, and even during the game, I think our guys were like agog at his defense. And it was just awesome. It was inspiring. I really mean that.”
It’s the second time over the last week the Slovenian superstar had his name alongside the Lakers late icon in the franchise’s history books.
Dončić’s 21 points in the opening quarter of the Lakers’ Friday road game against the Warriors was his 33rd career 20-point quarter and 10th 20-point quarter as a Laker.
He joined Bryant as the only two Lakers players to record at least 10 20-point quarters since 2000.
Bryant recorded 36 20-point quarters between 2000 and his retirement in 2016.
With Doncic entering Monday averaging a league-best 37.7 points per game, the highest scoring average in league history by a non-Wilt Chamberlain player, he’s bound to make more history this season.
