Timberwolves fall to Lakers while Doncic falls 49

Luka Doncic scored 49 points and became the fourth player in NBA history to start the season with consecutive 40-point performances, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 128-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.

Doncic followed suit His 43-point game in Opening night loss to Golden State With his highest scoring effort to date with the Lakers, he went 14-for-23 with five 3-pointers while adding 11 rebounds and eight assists.

The Slovenian star also scored 16 out of 19 free throws, but missed his last two shot attempts and a late free throw to fall just short of his eighth 50-point game.

Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Anthony Davis also started their NBA seasons with two 40-point games. Doncic was traded to Los Angeles for Davis last winter.

Anthony Edwards scored 31 points and Julius Randle had 26 points for Minnesota, which was unable to slow down the Lakers’ offense in a rematch of last season. Qualifying series in the first round Five games were won by Wolves.

Austin Reeves added 25 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds, while Rui Hachimura scored 23 points and Deandre Ayton scored 15 points for the Lakers.

LeBron James watched from the Lakers bench as he wore his youngest son Bryce’s Arizona Wildcats jersey. The all-time leading scorer in NBA history will be out until at least mid-November due to sciatica.

Doncic suffered a minor injury to his thigh in the Lakers’ opener, and also injured his left hand in the opening moments against Minnesota, repeatedly grabbing it as he hunched over in pain.

He still scored 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting with four 3-pointers in the first quarter, tying Kobe Bryant and Kyle Kuzma for the most prolific first quarter for the Lakers in the past 30 years.

Doncic scored 32 points by the end of the first half and added seven quick points at the beginning of the fourth quarter as the Lakers pulled within 20 points.

Bronny James made his first appearance of the season for the Lakers, playing the final 3:14.