With Dončić sidelined due to injury along with almost 60% of the total Laker payroll against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, Austin Reaves exploded for the best game of his career: 51 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and a badly-needed 127-120 victory with Dončić set to miss at least a week.

Without LeBron James and Luka Doncic in the lineup, Austin Reaves stepped up for the Lakers Sunday night, with 51 points, 22 rebounds and 9 assists.

After a summer spent getting into top shape, excelling at EuroBasket and settling into Los Angeles, Dončić has become the fourth player in NBA history to begin a season with back-to-back 40-point performances — and he barely missed a triple-double twice, too.

Luka Dončić's MVP-like night gives the Lakers their first win of season over Timberwolves with 49 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists

The Los Angeles Lakers have officially entered their Luka Dončić era after acquiring him last February in one of the most shocking trades in NBA history. Throughout the summer, there was uncertainty about how the Lakers planned to build around him, but one thing was clear — Dončić wants to win now.

Luka Dončić had a chance to reach 50 points before he was removed during Friday's 128-110 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, as head coach JJ Redick left him in the game late in the fourth quarter on 48 points.

Luka Doncic is off to a historic start to his first full season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The five-time NBA All-Star scored 43 points in Tuesday's opener against the Golden State Warriors and 49 points in Friday's win over the Minnesota Timberwolves,