Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers took down the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night.
The Crypto.com Arena has been bouncing since the Slovenian star arrived in a blockbuster trade three weeks ago, and things are now starting to click.
LeBron James had 33 points and 17 rebounds as the Lakers won their their fourth straight game, holding off the Timberwolves 111-102.
Doncic, who posted a triple-double against his former Dallas Mavericks team earlier this week, finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds and five assists against Minnesota.
He was also responsible for the most eye-catching play of the game, draining a three-point shot off one leg to beat the buzzer.
After going 0-8 from deep, James fed Doncic the ball late in the fourth quarter.
Despite being off balance, with Minnesota’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker in his face, Luka Magic found the basket with a perfect shot.
It was the only shot he made from beyond the arc all night, and it came at the perfect time to extend Los Angeles’ lead to seven points with less than four minutes to play.
Doncic’s effort also left his own father stunned.
After the point guard drained his shot, cameras cut to Sasa Doncic, who was watching from the stands.
He was seen with his head in his hands, appearing in disbelief, like many more fans inside the arena and those watching at home.
“Can’t think of anything more Luka Doncic than hitting that shot after the game he’s been having,” one person said, taking to X to share their shock.
“You’re telling me this is Doncic’s first three of the game? INSANE,” another wrote.
“We are all his dad right now,” a third joked.
That wasn’t the only highlight play that Doncic produced, either.
Early in the game, he made a full-court pass to James, finding his teammate in the paint for the easy lay up.
It was a sign that things are starting to click on the court and Luka and Lebron, along with teammate Austin Reaves, also made history against the Timberwolves.
They became the first trio in NBA history to combine for 75+ points, 35+ rebounds, 25+ free throws made, 15+ assists and 5+ threes made in a regulation game.
But even making history and providing two moments of magic wasn’t enough to satisfy Doncic, who admitted after the game that he wasn’t happy with his shooting on Thursday night.
As well as going 1-9 from three point range, he also went 6-20 from the field, and suggested in the locker room that some of his recent play has been ‘horrible’.
“It’s crazy. I can’t make a normal shot and I make that shot,” he said of his off-balance three.
“At this point, it’s who I am. I gotta work on that.
“Easy shots, gotta knock them down. I’m playing horrible, so I gotta get back to it.”
Doncic has now played six games for the Lakers, and the team has gone 4-2 in that time.
And while the results are pretty positive, the former Mavericks star admitted that he is still trying to find his rhythm in LA.
He said: “It’s a big thing for me. You gotta go through a lot of downs to get to the highest point.
“It’s a big challenge for me. Getting back into the rhythm and making those easy shots.”
