By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After scoring 43 points in the opener of the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, Luka Doncic dropped 49 points for the Los Angeles Lakers in a win, 128-110, against the Minnesota Timberwolves in crypto.com Arena on Friday.
The 26-year-old Slovenian combo guard went for 32 points in the first half, keeping his side close. The team coached by JJ Redick took over after the break to eventually go up to 1-1.
In just under 35 minutes of work, Doncic connected 14/23 from the field, including five triples, and also made 16/19 free throws. He added 11 rebounds to shape a double-double and eight assists.
“I feel great, and I want to win every game,” mentioned Doncic in the postgame press conference, responding to a question about becoming the first Laker to start a new season with back-to-back 40-point showings.
German teammate Maxi Kleber (abdominal muscle strain) remained unavailable.
On the losing end, Italian Donte DiVincenzo went for 13 points, while French imports Rudy Gobert and Joan Beringer tallied two points apiece.
Hugo Gonzalez debuts
From Doncic to another Real Madrid youth product, Hugo Gonzalez, making his first NBA appearance. The 19-year-old Spanish guard tallied six points, but the Boston Celtics lost, 105-95, to the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden. “Stepping on the floor was good, but I’m not leaving with a great memory of this day because we lost a game that we could have won,” he recapped his debut. “I got experience in other arenas in Europe that are crazy. Of course, making my NBA debut, that doesn’t happen every day.”
Playing through a left ankle sprain, British O.G. Anunoby chipped in ten points, and French Guerschon Yabusele added three points for the hosts. French Pacome Dadiet, French Mohamed Diawara, and German Ariel Hukporti did not play, and British Tosan Evbuomwan did not suit up.
On the C’s, Bosnian Luka Garza (concussion protocol) was sidelined, and Ukrainian Max Shulga was also left out of the lineup, but Portuguese Neemias Queta netted eight points and British Amari Williams grabbed one rebound in 40 seconds.
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell went for 35 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers topped the Brooklyn Nets, 131-124, in Barclays Center. For the team coached by Spanish Jordi Fernandez, Russian Egor Demin had nine points, and Israeli Ben Saraf scored two points, but French Nolan Traore did not play, and Israeli Danny Wolf (left ankle sprain) remained sidelined.