Luka Dončić: 15 Key Stats

Luka Dončić: 15 Key Stats

Luka Dončić is one of the most exciting basketball players in the world. At just 25 years old, he has already achieved incredible success in the NBA. Over the last five seasons, he has consistently been one of the top players in the league, earning a spot in the top eight for the Kia MVP award each year. Now, he’s taking his talents to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he’ll team up with LeBron James and become the latest superstar to wear the iconic purple and gold jersey.

Here are 15 key numbers that highlight why Luka Dončić is such a special player as he prepares for his Lakers debut:

1. A Scoring Phenomenon

1. Luka Dončić is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. He averages 28.6 points per game over his 422 career regular-season games, making him the third-highest scorer in NBA history.
2. He’s one of only nine players (six of them active) to score 60 or more points in multiple games. His 73-point game in January 2023 is tied for the fourth-highest single-game score in NBA history.
3. Last season, he averaged 33.9 points per game, the sixth-highest scoring average in the previous 50 years.
4. In the playoffs, Luka Dončić is even more dominant. He averages 30.9 points per game over 50 playoff games, the second-highest in NBA history. He scored 42 points in his playoff debut in 2020 and has eight playoff games with 40 or more points.

2. The Ultimate Playmaker

5. Luka Dončić is not just a scorer; he’s also an incredible playmaker. He’s the only player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists throughout his career. Only legends like LeBron James and Oscar Robertson have come close to these numbers.
6. He has 80 career triple-doubles, the seventh-most in NBA history. Only Nikola Jokić (137) and Russell Westbrook (98) have more in the same time frame.
7. Luka Dončić creates 48.8 points per game through his scoring and assists, the highest average in the last 29 seasons. Last season, he averaged 57.2 points per game, the highest single-season mark in that time.
8. He’s also a master at setting up his teammates for 3-pointers. He averages 3.6 assists per game on 3-pointers, the most in the last 29 seasons. His teammates shoot 38.2% from the 3-point line when he passes them the ball, compared to 36.1% otherwise.

3. Sharing the Ball More

9. This season, Luka Dončić has been sharing the ball more than ever. His usage rate (31.9%) is the lowest since his rookie year, showing he’s trusting his teammates more.
10. His time of possession (6.3 minutes per game) is also the lowest of his career. In previous seasons, he led the league in time of possession, including a record 12.1 minutes per game in the 2021 playoffs.
11. He’s been assisted on 34.7% of his field goals this season, the ninth-lowest rate among players with at least 100 made field goals. However, this is the highest rate of his career, showing he’s becoming more of a team player.

4. Improved Shooting Efficiency

12. Over the last two seasons, Luka Dončić has taken fewer shots inside the paint (37%) than his first five years (47%). Instead, he’s focusing more on outside shots.
13. Last season, he had the best shooting efficiency of his career, with a true shooting percentage of 61.7%. A big reason for this was his improved 3-point shooting, where he made 38.2% of his attempts.
14. He made 221 pull-up 3-pointers last season, 54 more than any other player in the NBA. This shows how dangerous he is from long range.

5. Defense and Clutch Moments

15. Luka Dončić has also improved on defense. He averages 3.4 deflections per 36 minutes, the highest rate of his career. Opponents shoot 45.4% against him, which is better than expected, showing he’s becoming a more reliable defender.
16. However, he has struggled in clutch moments, especially with 3-pointers. Over his career, he’s made just 26.5% of his clutch 3-point attempts, ranking 217th among players with at least 100 attempts in the last 29 seasons.

Why Luka Dončić is a Perfect Fit for the Lakers

Joining the Lakers is a big move for Luka Dončić. The Lakers are one of the most famous teams in NBA history, and playing alongside LeBron James will give him a chance to compete for championships. With his scoring, playmaking, and improved defense, Luka Dončić is ready to take his game to the next level in Los Angeles.

Fans are excited to see how he’ll perform in the purple and gold. Will he lead the Lakers to another title? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Luka Dončić is one of the most talented players in the world, and his Lakers debut will be a must-watch basketball.