The Los Angeles Lakers are streaking behind the stellar play of six-time All-Star guard Luka Doncic.
Doncic, 27, has been assembling one of the most majestic stretches of his eight-year career, and his play has been a big factor in the Lakers extending their winning streak to eight games after a recent win over the Miami Heat.
With the valuable contributions of Austin Reaves and LeBron James, who has missed only a combined five shots over his last two games, L.A. is clicking at perhaps the most opportune time. The regular season is coming down to its final dozen-or-so games, and the Lakers trio has appeared like the best in basketball in recent weeks.
Luka Doncic Makes History During L.A.’s Impressive Winning Streak
After a tumultuous stretch that saw the Lakers hovering just a few games outside of a play-in spot, the team has hit its stride.
Tying together multiple wins isn’t something unusual for them; it was just last season L.A. rattled off eight wins in a row. Ultimately, the franchise lost its magic entering the postseason and was eventually defeated in the first round of the playoffs.
But this year feels different. No. 77 feels different.
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 18: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Houston Rockets. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Playing his best basketball since being acquired in a seismic trade over 13 months ago, Doncic hasn’t sacrificed any individual success despite his entire team playing at a high level. Over L.A.’s eight-game winning streak, the superstar guard is averaging a volcanic 40.9 points per game, including games of 44, 51 and 60 points.
This stretch has put Doncic in elite company, making him just the fifth player in league history to average greater than 40 points per game over an eight-game win streak. The other four players are Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Elgin Baylor and James Harden.
Will He Continue His Historic Burst?
Considering he is the league’s leading scorer and has had a 70-point explosion in his career, Doncic cannot be doubted to continue this run. The only question is whether the Lakers can continue piling wins and carving out a comfortable cushion between them and the several Western Conference teams biting at the No. 3 seed.
A factor that has helped power Doncic to this legendary stretch is the play of his supporting cast. James, despite being the oldest player in the league and missing significant time with injury this season, recorded a 30-point game on over 90% shooting earlier this week in a victory over the Houston Rockets. His production at an advanced age already gets discussed plenty, but it is remarkable to think even a 41-year-old James may be the most productive player Doncic has ever played with.
Doncic has taken lesser teams quite deep into the playoffs. Just two years ago, he guided the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals. This is the first time he has two elite players that are capable of exploding just like him on any given night.
The fit between James and Doncic has been passionately debated, but this recent stretch has at least dwindled the narrative that these two future Hall of Famers are unable to coexist.
The Lakers aim to improve to 46-25 and capture their ninth win in a row tonight in Orlando. The Magic are 21-12 at home and will be tough to beat at their home base. A win tonight would give L.A. a full three-game cushion over the No. 4 seed Rockets.
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