13 months after his blockbuster trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Dončić finally achieved his first 50-point game with the storied franchise during Thursday’s 142-130 home win over the Chicago Bulls.
The six-time All-Star also made franchise history with his well-rounded performance, earning high praise across the NBA world.
NBA World Celebrates Luka Dončić’s 51-Point Lakers Career-High
With Dončić’s veteran co-star, LeBron James, making his return from a three-game absence due to hip and foot injuries, the former appeared set to surrender offensive touches.
Instead, Dončić came through with his most productive outing as a Laker, tallying 51 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals. He shot a blistering 17-for-31 overall (54.8%), including 9-for-14 from 3-point range (64.3%), while knocking down 8-of-9 free throws (88.9%).
After a relatively slow start, the 2024 NBA scoring champion caught fire following some spirited second-quarter trash talk from Bulls forward Matas Buzelis. According to Dončić, the youngster’s “not very nice” words “surprised” him and “woke [him] up.”
Dončić proceeded to relentlessly attack Chicago’s 23rd-ranked defense (116.9 defensive rating). He did so in a variety of facets, shooting lights out from deep while also setting up his teammates for easy baskets inside.
With his all-around stat line, the 27-year-old became the third player in franchise history to record 50-plus points, 10-plus rebounds, 5-plus assists, and 5-plus 3-pointers in a regular-season game, joining teammate Austin Reaves and Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
🚨 LUKA ERUPTS FOR 51 POINTS 🚨
51 PTS
10 REB
9 AST
3 STL
9 3PMHe joins Kobe Bryant and Austin Reaves as the only players in Lakers franchise history to record 50+ PTS, 10+ REB, 5+ AST, and 5+ 3PM in a regular season game. pic.twitter.com/DTC6f5NHYN
— NBA (@NBA) March 13, 2026
“LUKA DONČIĆ JUST DROPPED A NEAR 51-POINT TRIPLE-DOUBLE … INSANE,” Legion Hoops reacted.
LUKA DONCIC JUST DROPPED A NEAR 51-POINT TRIPLE DOUBLE:
51 POINTS
10 REBOUNDS
9 ASSISTS
3 STEALSINSANE 🤯 pic.twitter.com/nZuzpYo4Gu
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 13, 2026
“LUKA DONČIĆ IS MY MVP,” prominent Lakers fan account LakeShowYo declared.
LUKA DONCIC IS MY MVP 🪄
(via @realapp) pic.twitter.com/gCRrtzgb61
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) March 13, 2026
“Luka Dončić splashes the long-distance 3 and makes it look effortless,” NBA highlight account MrBuckBuck observed.
Luka Doncic splashes the long-distance three and makes it look effortless. pic.twitter.com/qCI5d1wiva
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) March 13, 2026
“ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!?!?!” fan account BronMuse responded.
Meanwhile, parody account BrickCenter noted that at one point, “Luka Dončić started talking trash BEFORE [his] shot went in.”
Luka Doncic started talking trash BEFORE the shot went in 😭 pic.twitter.com/csZzNdRotF
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) March 13, 2026
With Thursday’s victory, LA (41-25) improved to third in the Western Conference, riding a four-game winning streak. Dončić has averaged a whopping 40.3 points per game during that stretch, boding well for the Lakers’ playoff outlook with just 16 games remaining.
However, Dončić and Co. should face a much tougher test during Saturday’s pivotal home clash against the West’s fifth-seeded Denver Nuggets (41-26).
