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’ Bold Prediction
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 one of 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.”
### Looking Ahead
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.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/los-angeles-lakers/luka-reaves-stupid/
