Kings news: Zach LaVine anoints Luka Doncic as one of biggest talents ever

Kings guard Zach LaVine called Luka Doncic one of the most talented players of all time after Doncic dropped 40 points on Sacramento Wednesday night.

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Kings 116-103 at Golden 1 Center.

Doncic finished with 40 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.

It was his fifth 40-point game of the young season.

It was also his sixth straight game with at least 35 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five made three-pointers.

No player in NBA history had ever done that before.

Doncic broke the record he had tied against Miami earlier in the week, when he matched Damian Lillard's previous mark.

Over those six games, Doncic is averaging 42.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists.

He is shooting 52% from the field and 45% from three-point range during that stretch.

Through nine games this season, Doncic is averaging 38.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.0 assists.

That scoring average ranks among the best starts to a season in NBA history.

Only Wilt Chamberlain has averaged more through the first eight games of a season.

Chamberlain averaged 52.3 points through eight games in 1962-63.

He averaged 50.0 in 1961-62 and 39.6 in 1959-60.

Doncic's 38.5-point average moves him ahead of Michael Jordan's 38.4-point start in 1986-87.

Wednesday's game also marked Doncic's 100th appearance as a Laker.

Across those 100 games, he has averaged 32.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists.

After the game, Zach LaVine spoke about facing Doncic.

"Luka's one of the most talented players of all time," LaVine said in his postgame press conference.

"I don't think people actually give him enough credit for how good he really is."

"He one of the best scorers of all time."

"The shot-making ability is insane."

"You really can't contest him."

"He gets calls."

"But he plays at his own pace, he creates contact."

"The dude's averaging 40 right now."

LaVine has been playing well himself this season.

He is averaging 23.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.

He is shooting 50% from the field, 38% from three, and 83% from the free-throw line.

But Wednesday belonged to Doncic.

Doncic overcame a slow start to reach 40 points.

He had just 10 points on 2-for-7 shooting in the first quarter.

Austin Reaves joked after the game that Doncic "could've had 60 if he weren't asleep in the first quarter."

Reaves finished with 21 points on 7-for-15 shooting.

Reaves and Doncic are the highest-scoring duo in the NBA this season.

The Lakers improved to 7-2 with the win.

They have won three straight games.

Los Angeles will return home to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

Doncic's start has drawn comparisons to some of the greatest scoring runs in league history.

Kendrick Perkins recently compared Doncic's style to Kobe Bryant.

Bill Simmons has critiqued Doncic but failed to mention his historic start.

The NBA rescinded a technical foul on Doncic from a previous game against the Heat.

Doncic also had a fan ejected during the Lakers-Kings game after an exchange.

But the story that continues to grow is the scoring.

Doncic has scored 40 or more points in five of nine games.

He scored 73 points in a game while with the Mavericks in January 2024.

Reaves referenced that game when asked about his teammate.

"He's scored 70 in a game," Reaves said.

"He's a good basketball player."

"I don't know."

"He's been doing this since he was 20 years old, 19."

"He's a good player."

LaVine's praise carries extra weight because he faced Doncic twice in preseason and again on Wednesday.

The Kings defense has been a work in progress this season.

But LaVine made clear that the result would have been the same regardless.