Discover Luka Doncic’s Historic Scoring Night Ranking in NBA History
The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off the 2025-2026 NBA season with a challenging matchup against the Golden State Warriors. Despite the 119-109 loss, Luka Doncic’s individual performance was remarkable, setting a historic precedent.
Doncic’s Historic Scoring Night
Luka Doncic made history by scoring 43 points in his season opener, joining an elite group of players. He became only the third Laker to reach this milestone in a season opener, following legends Kobe Bryant and Elgin Baylor.
Details of the Performance
- Date: October 21, 2025
- Opponent: Golden State Warriors
- Points Scored: 43
- Field Goals: 17 of 27
- Free Throws: 7 (70% success rate)
- Rebounds: 12
- Assists: 9
This performance puts Doncic in a unique category. He is one of four players in NBA history to score 43 points during their season opener. Other notable players with similar achievements include Wilt Chamberlain, Walt Bellamy, and Jalen Rose.
Comparison with Lakers Legends
In terms of Lakers history, Doncic’s scoring night stands alongside greats such as:
- Kobe Bryant
- Elgin Baylor
- Jerry West
- James Worthy
- Shaquille O’Neal
- LeBron James
Doncic’s performance is even more impressive considering he is the first player ever to begin a season with a 40-point double-double and lose by double digits.
Transition to the Lakers
This game marks Doncic’s first season opener with the Lakers after joining the team mid-season from the Dallas Mavericks. Last season, he played in 28 games for the Lakers, averaging 28.2 points, 7.5 assists, and 8.1 rebounds.
His field goal percentage was 43%, while he shot 37% from three-point range. While the Lakers have room for improvement following this loss, Doncic’s historic scoring night is a promising start to the season.
