Luka Doncic Joins Lakers Legends With Historic 40-Point Triple-Double
Luka Doncic is officially carving his name into Lakers lore - and he’s doing it in a hurry.
On Thursday night, the Lakers star delivered a performance for the ages: 45 points, 11 rebounds, 14 assists, and five steals in a win over the Utah Jazz. That stat line alone is wild.
But when you zoom out and look at the history he just touched, it becomes even more special. Doncic became only the fourth player in Lakers franchise history to record a 40-point triple-double, joining an elite trio: Elgin Baylor, Magic Johnson, and Jerry West.
That’s not just a list - that’s the DNA of Lakers greatness.
And here’s the kicker: it’s been more than four decades since anyone in purple and gold pulled this off. The last Laker to post a 40-point triple-double?
Magic Johnson, back on March 28, 1981 - also against the Jazz. That’s 44 years of Lakers basketball without a single player reaching that mark.
Until Luka.
But Doncic didn’t just make Lakers history - he made NBA history, too. This was the 10th 40-point triple-double of his career, making him just the fourth player in league history to hit double digits in that category.
The other names on that list? James Harden, Oscar Robertson, and Russell Westbrook.
That’s triple-double royalty, and Luka just pulled up a chair at the table.
What makes this even more remarkable is how quickly Doncic has done it. This milestone came in just his 48th regular season game as a Laker.
That’s not just fast - that’s warp speed. Baylor, West, and Magic are all icons with their jerseys in the rafters.
Doncic is already being mentioned in the same breath, and he’s not even through his second season with the team.
It’s hard to overstate how rare this kind of performance is. In an era where triple-doubles have become more common thanks to the likes of Westbrook and Harden, a 40-point version still stands out as something extraordinary. It’s the kind of game that turns heads, shifts narratives, and starts conversations about legacy.
Doncic Shines in Emirates NBA Cup, Earns All-Tournament Honors
Doncic’s dominance hasn’t been limited to the regular season, either. He was front and center during the Lakers’ run in the inaugural Emirates NBA Cup. The team went undefeated in group play, and although their journey ended in the quarterfinals with a loss to the Spurs - who went on to reach the championship game - Doncic made sure his impact was felt.
His Cup numbers were staggering: 36.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 10.0 assists per game, while shooting 48.7% from the field and a scorching 44.2% from deep. He dropped at least 35 points in four of the five Cup games, including two 40-point outings, and dished out double-digit assists in three of them. That level of production helped him rank second in scoring and tied for fourth in assists across the entire tournament.
So it’s no surprise that when the NBA announced the Emirates NBA Cup All-Tournament Team, Doncic’s name was right there. He was joined by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns of the Knicks, De’Aaron Fox of the Spurs, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder - a group that represents some of the brightest stars in the league.
But Doncic’s inclusion wasn’t just about numbers. It was about presence.
Every time the Lakers played a Cup game, Luka seemed to find another gear. Whether it was the stakes, the spotlight, or just the thrill of competition, he responded with performances that reminded everyone why he’s one of the most gifted players in the game today.
The Bigger Picture
Luka Doncic is doing more than putting up big numbers - he’s building a resume that’s already starting to echo through the halls of one of the league’s most storied franchises. Joining the likes of Baylor, West, and Magic on a Lakers-only list is no small feat.
Doing it in under 50 games? That’s something else entirely.
The Lakers have seen greatness before. They’ve raised banners, retired jerseys, and watched legends rise. And now, with Doncic in the fold, they might just be watching it happen all over again.