Luka Doncic scored 53 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-118 comeback victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, overcoming a 16-point deficit and continuing a historic scoring start to the season.
Doncic shot 17-for-33 from the field, including five 3-pointers, and added 14 points on 18 free throws, along with five rebounds and five assists. He is averaging 40.1 points through nine games while shooting 49.8% from the floor and 41.9% from three-point range.
Blazers coach Micah Nori offered a pointed postgame assessment, suggesting the volume of opportunities inflated Doncic's output. "He's a really good player, but if you give any NBA player 33 shots and 18 free throws, they're probably going to score 40 to 50 as well," Nori said.
The comment drew criticism for overlooking the skill required to create and convert such chances. Doncic's efficiency and ability to manipulate defenses, including a 20-point third quarter that outscored Portland's entire team, underscored the difference between attempts and production.
Before the game, Nori had praised Doncic's condition and called the Lakers' offense "a perfect offensive storm" with Doncic as "the MVP right now." He also cited Portland's 24 turnovers and the Lakers' 17 offensive rebounds as key factors in the loss.
Doncic's 361 points through nine games surpass Michael Jordan's 347 in his first nine games of the 1986-87 season, with only Wilt Chamberlain's starts higher. Doncic remained focused on team success: "We're just 10 games in. We got 72 left. But as long as we win, I'm good."
