Luka Doncic Keeps Rolling, Joins Wilt Chamberlain in Rare 40-Point Company
In the Lakers’ 117–112 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in NBA Cup group play Friday, Doncic erupted for 44 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, Sports Illustrated reports. The outburst marked his third straight 40-point effort to start the 2025–26 season, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in
When informed of the record, Doncic could only laugh, The Athletic reports. “Jesus,” he said, clearly in disbelief.
Historic Company
The Lakers’ new superstar has scorched every defense he’s faced this year. He opened the season with 43 points against Golden State and followed with 49 versus Minnesota. His 51.9 percent shooting in Memphis actually marked his least efficient game of the year. Through three contests, Doncic has totaled 136 points, averaging 45.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 7.7 assists.
Chamberlain achieved his 40-point streaks twice; seven games to open the 1962–63 campaign and five to start 1961–62. For Doncic to be mentioned alongside one of basketball’s most dominant forces underscores the magnitude of his run.
Friday’s win also lifted the Lakers to 4–2. Austin Reaves continued his strong play, adding 21 points while helping steady the offense during Doncic’s absence. With LeBron James still sidelined by sciatica, Reaves had carried the scoring load, highlighted by a 51-point explosion in a win over Sacramento and back-to-back games of 41 and 28 points.
Chasing History
Even with the hot start, Doncic is keeping expectations realistic. Asked if he could sustain a 40-point average all season, he didn’t hesitate. “That’s going to be tough,” Doncic admitted. “Sometimes they’re going to double me more. Sometimes I won’t be able to score that much. I had three or four shots that were crazy shots that I felt like doing, but they were terrible shots. So I’ve got to work on that.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick credited Doncic’s poise and control despite constant defensive pressure. “He just continues to get where he wants to go, and he takes what the defense gives him,” Redick said.
After returning to the team in Memphis on Thursday, Doncic got a late-night workout in with Redick and the coaching staff. He participated in shootaround the next morning and was upgraded to probable before tip-off. His rhythm returned immediately, dropping 13 points in the first quarter.
Redick said his halftime speech helped refocus the Lakers after a sluggish second quarter. “I didn’t raise my voice, at least I don’t think I did,” he told reporters. “But if I had to summarize it, we didn’t start the game playing hard, then they went on a run with five guys who just played harder than us. So we challenged them at halftime, and it was like watching two different teams.”
The Lakers head home to face the Miami Heat on Sunday, where Doncic will look to extend his 40-point streak and continue rewriting the record books. Let’s see how far he can take this this run.
Chicago Cubs predicted to replace Kyle Tucker with projected $182 million Boston Red Sox superstar
The Chicago Cubs are coming off a 92-70 season that saw them finish second place in the National League Central Division behind the Milwaukee Brewers, who were 97-65. After defeating the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card round, Chicago fell to the Brewers 3-2 in their five-game NLDS series, ending their season.
Now that the World Series is over, the club and its fans has their eyes completely set on preparing for the 2026 MLB season in hopes that they can improve their roster, make it back to the postseason, and win another title themselves.
In order to do that, some tough decisions will need to be made and some serious money will need to be spent.
The Chicago Cubs are predicted to replace Kyle Tucker with Alex Bregman
Sep 30, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox third base Alex Bregman (2) hits a single during the first inning against the New York Yankees during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Recently, Jim Bowden of The Athletic listed Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker has his number one MLB free agent of the offseason. Per Bowden, it is expected that, despite his injuries in 2025, Tucker will command a contract worth over $400 million.
In other words, Chicago, who is not likely to hand out that kind of contract, will need to find a way to replace a player who hit .266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs, 73 RBI, and 25 stolen bases.
Jordan Campbell of Cubbies Crib suggests that they do so by signing third baseman Alex Bregman, who Bowden suggests will command a $182 million contract over six years:
“The guess here is that the Cubs make a strong push for Alex Bregman. The Cubs identified Bregman as the piece last offseason that could transition them from being a good team into a great team. They weren’t wrong, but the problem was that the Cubs made a pursuit of Bregman a priority far too late in the offseason. The Boston Red Sox likely will make a strong push to bring Bregman back, but the Cubs being involved shouldn’t be that surprising.”
Playing for the Boston Red Sox last season, Bregman hit .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs and 62 RBI. He, like Tucker, also dealt with injuries last season that limited his production.
The thought of replacing Tucker, an outfielder, with Bregman, a third baseman, make sense since the Cubs already have Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Seiya Suzuki as their starting outfielders.
The problem, though, is that Bregman will be highly sought after in free agency, and the Cubs may get into a bidding war for his services.
