Overview
- Los Angeles beat Minnesota 128-110, with Dončić posting 49 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists on 14-of-23 shooting.
- Dončić became the first Laker and fourth NBA player to start a season with consecutive 40-point games, and he tied a franchise mark with 23 in the first quarter.
- Austin Reaves added 25 points and 11 assists, Rui Hachimura scored 23, and Deandre Ayton had 15 and eight as the Lakers shot 59.2% and controlled the second half.
- Dončić said Marcus Smart’s defensive energy helped swing the game after an early 10-point deficit, reflecting Redick’s emphasis on effort and rotation tweaks.
- LeBron James remained out with sciatica as L.A. moved to 1-1 and now visits Sacramento on Sunday, while the Wolves fell to 1-1 in the rematch of last season’s first-round series.