For now, the spotlight remains on Dončić — and his growing chemistry with Reaves. Whether or not he averages 40, the Lakers’ new superstar is already rewriting the franchise’s record books, one jaw-dropping performance at a time.
‘Austin’s Stupid’: Luka Dončić Reacts to Lakers Teammate’s Bold Claim
Posted November 3, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Dončić isn’t taking the hype too seriously — even when it comes from his own teammate.
After Austin Reaves confidently predicted that Dončić could average 40 points per game this season, the Slovenian star had a blunt and hilarious response.
“Austin’s stupid,” Dončić said with a grin on Saturday, drawing laughter from reporters.
The exchange came a day after Dončić erupted for 44 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists in Friday’s 117–112 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies — his third consecutive 40-point game to open the season.
Reaves made his bold comment in the locker room after that win, telling reporters that Dončić’s scoring outbursts don’t just help the Lakers — they set the tone for the entire team.
“His ability to get us off to hot starts is big for us because, if you come out and he has 15 in the first, we’re going to score, I would assume, 30 [points],” Reaves said of Dončić, who leads the NBA in first-quarter scoring with 13 points per game. “Unless everybody else is shooting bricks like I was tonight.”
Dončić Joins Wilt in Rare Scoring Company
Dončić’s start to his first full season with the Lakers has been nothing short of historic. He joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to open a season with three straight 40-point games, according to
ESPN.
Chamberlain achieved the feat twice — in 1961-62 (five straight) and 1962-63 (seven straight).
“That’s going to be tough,” Dončić admitted when asked if he could maintain the pace. “Sometimes they’re going to double me more. Sometimes I won’t be able to score that much. I had a few crazy shots that were terrible shots … I’ve got to work on that. But that’s tough. I don’t know.”
Through three games, Dončić is averaging 45.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 7.7 assists, the best three-game scoring start by a Laker since Kobe Bryant in 2007. Only Chamberlain, Dončić, and Michael Jordan (1986-87) have scored 125 or more points through the first three games of a season; Dončić already has 136.
Redick Praises Dončić’s Composure and Efficiency
Lakers head coach JJ Redick credited Dončić’s maturity and poise, even when facing constant double-teams and defensive traps.
“He just continues to get where he wants to go and takes what the defense gives him,” Redick said.
Dončić had missed three games with a finger sprain and lower-leg contusion before returning in Memphis. After a late-night workout with Redick and his staff, he was upgraded to probable and wasted no time — scoring 13 points in the first quarter to lead the Lakers to victory.
Dončić shot 14-of-27 from the field and buried six 3-pointers en route to another scoring masterpiece. He also added 12 rebounds and 6 assists.
LeBron’s Absence Opens the Floor for Dončić and Reaves
With LeBron James sidelined by sciatica, Dončić and Reaves have carried the Lakers’ offense. Reaves averaged 40 points and 10 assists in the three games Dončić missed, solidifying his standing as a legitimate No. 2 option.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that James could return in mid-November, though Redick has said there’s no firm timeline.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Shams Charania said on The Flagrant Podcast that James’ long-term future remains undecided.
“We still don’t know where LeBron is going to be,” Charania said. “Could it stay with the Lakers? Sure, but he’s a free agent. If he’s going to continue to play, there’s clearly a chance he’s somewhere else.”
Dolphins’ McDaniel Won’t Rule Out Big Changes
If the Miami Dolphins have been in free fall for most of this season, it’s unclear what you’d call it now. The Dolphins fell to 1-6 on Sunday after getting embarrassed by the Cleveland Browns 31-6.
Head coach Mike McDaniel spends most of his time during press conferences these days answering questions about his job security and/or what so-and-so player just said that he shouldn’t have.
McDaniel expectedly bristled at questions about his job following the loss to Cleveland.
“The way I look at this job is I find it very offensive to all parties involved if I’m thinking about having the job — I need to be doing my job,” he said. “So, for as long as I coach for the Miami Dolphins and this organization, they’ll get everything from me. And I refuse to spend my time thinking about [my job security]…You have a job, you do your job and you do it to the best of your ability.
“That’s where my concern lies. I think it’s offensive to all coaches, players and the organization if I’m spending that precious time thinking about myself.”
Mike McDaniel says just about everything is on the table
On Sunday, McDaniel benched quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and with good reason. Tua threw for 100 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions and he probably looked worse than his stat line.
Heck, before the game McDaniel even made a quarterback change by elevating rookie Quinn Ewers to the backup job and making Zach Wilson the emergency quarterback. Ewers replaced Tua once the game was out of hand.
“I think [we] did everything to lose the game,” McDaniel said. “I think you saw a lot of frustrated players from the season allow it to seep into our play and keep us from executing…a game like this, I think we didn’t see coming in terms of our prep but you absolutely, with 100% certainty, have to evaluate everything.
“No person, no player or no coach has got their hands clean, and we have to go back to work and — starting with me — do a better job.”
Mike McDaniel hints at personnel changes
Next up for the Dolphins is the Atlanta Falcons, who are coming off of a tough loss on Sunday night to the San Francisco 49ers. McDaniel said he’s going to look at every player and how they are doing their job, something he probably should have been doing a long time ago.
“There’s a lot of guys that will have an important work week,” he said. “I mean, if you are negatively affecting the football team routinely, I don’t have a choice but to assess a different player, and I have to coach a lot better, as well. So, we’re going to find out who and what we’re made of.
“We will watch the tape and change our style of play if we have to — everything’s on the table,” McDaniel said. “When you go to a game you fully know that you have the capability to win, and get handed a very, very humbling loss, there’s no if, ands or buts about it. Guys need to be professionals and guys need to step up to the plate. And every person on our team, if you’re saying, ‘It’s not me,’ it’s you.”
Most reports have indicated that owner Stephen Ross is going to wait to make a change at head coach (and general manager), but it’s unclear how thin his patience is.
