Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic is looking to reach the NBA Finals in consecutive seasons. Leading the Dallas Mavericks to a Western Conference championship in 2024, Doncic was dealt to Los Angeles earlier this season.
Appearing in 28 regular season games for the Lakers, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists. Now in the postseason, Doncic and the Lakers are facing the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Doncic’s Lakers postseason debut did not go as planned. The five-time All-Star had 37 points and eight rebounds, but LA was blown out on its home floor by a final score of 117-95.
Bouncing back early in Game 2, the Lakers took a 58-43 lead into halftime. They were once again led by Doncic who finished the first half with 22 points, five rebounds and five assists. This line made Lakers history.
According to StatMamba on X, Doncic is just the third Lakers player to record at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in a playoff half. The other two Lakers to achieve this feat are Anthony Davis, who Doncic was traded for, and the late Kobe Bryant.
As StatMamba added, both Davis and Bryant reached the NBA Finals in the postseason they achieved a 20/5/5 half. One of the greatest postseason performers in NBA history, Doncic entered Tuesday second all-time in playoff points per game (31.0), trailing on Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan (33.5).
Still in pursuit of his first championship, Doncic will look to deliver LA its 18th this June.
