Luka Doncic scored 40 points, his sixth straight game with at least 35, as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 116-103 on Wednesday. The performance made him the first player in 38 years, since Michael Jordan, to surpass 300 points in his first eight games of a season.
Doncic has played in eight of the Lakers’ first nine games and has scored 308 points. That is the most through eight games since 1988, surpassing the 303 points Jordan made in the 1988-89 season. The only player with more points in his first eight games of a season is Wilt Chamberlain, who did it three times, with a high of 418 in 1962-63.
Doncic was again prolific, making six three-pointers and 12 of 13 free throws. He also grabbed nine rebounds and dished out seven assists, leading the Lakers to their seventh win in nine games this season.
Austin Reaves added 21 points for Los Angeles.
Fan removed after incident with official
Doncic was also involved in an incident that led to a spectator being removed from his seat near the baseline late in the third quarter, after a ball went out of bounds. The fan threw the ball aggressively at official Chelisa Painter. Doncic immediately pointed at the fan and appeared to say something to him. Security then came over and removed the fan.
Kings unable to build on opening win
Sacramento could not build on their first win of the season, which came on Monday at Dallas. They fell to 1-7 and have lost all three of their home games.
Rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr led the Kings with 22 points and 12 assists. Zach LaVine scored 21, while Domantas Sabonis finished with 16 points and 17 rebounds.