Lakers’ Luka Doncic Leads NBA in PIE, Offensive Rating After 42-Point Show

Luka Doncic scored 42 points on Monday night to help the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Miami Heat 138-117 at Crypto.com Arena. The performance marked his fourth game with at least 40 points in his last five appearances. On Tuesday, the NBA rescinded a technical foul against Doncic that he received during the second quarter for clapping at an official. The league’s decision reduces his season total to one technical. Last season, the guard was suspended for one game after accumulating 16 technicals.

Doncic has dominated statistical categories since arriving in Los Angeles. Among players averaging at least 30 minutes per game, he leads the league with a 133.5 offensive rating. He also holds the top Player-impact Estimate rating at 22.1 through seven games. His usage rate sits at 39%, which is the highest in the NBA. He ranks third in net rating, trailing only Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets and Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Lakers have outscored opponents by 113 points while Doncic is on the court. The team ranks second in points per game at 122.5. They lead the league in field-goal percentage at 52% and effective field-goal percentage at 61.1%. They also rank second in offensive rating at 121.9 and third-point shooting percentage at 39.7%. Teammates credit Doncic with creating easy buckets for guards Austin Reaves and center Walker Kessler, who average 23.6 and 14.4 points respectively.

Doncic averaged 43.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 8.6 assists, and 2.0 steals over his last five games. He has shot 53.2% from the field and 44.7% from three-point range during that span. He scored fewer than 30 points only in the Lakers’ first two games of the season. Ziaire Williams noted that opponents have struggled to stop the six-time All-NBA first-team selection. Williams said Doncic makes it look easy and is an anomaly on the court.

Doncic acknowledged that his offensive rhythm is still improving. He cited a Grade 2 left hamstring strain that ended last season and six months of rehabilitation. He described his current form as okay but getting better. Quentin Grimes, a guard for the Lakers, said it feels surreal to play alongside someone who makes so many difficult shots. Grimes called it a crazy little heater. Jaden Hardy, who played with Doncic in Dallas, called him a spectacular talent who does things others cannot.

The Lakers, who have a 6-2 record, play the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The game will be held at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. The Kings are 1-6 and are considered a likely candidate to finish last in the Western Conference. The broadcast will air on Spectrum SportsNet and 710 AM, 980 AM radio.