Lakers’ Luka Doncic drops 44, keeps pace with Wilt

Austin Reaves held the Lakers down all week.

Then Luka Doncic returned and took the wheel right back.

Forty-four more Friday night. Lakers beat the Grizzlies 117-112. And Doncic did it after missing three games with a sprained finger and lower leg contusion.

He literally flew in separately to Memphis just to play.

This is now three straight 40s to open his season. That consists of 43 on opening night vs. Golden State, 49 against Minnesota and then 44 here.

That’s Wilt territory. Literally.

After all, Wilt Chamberlain is the only other human with three straight 40s to start a season.

And Doncic has now joined Wilt and Michael Jordan as the only players to score 125+ through their first three games.

Luka’s got 136. He’s averaging 45.3.

He also had 12 rebounds and six assists. And the Lakers came back from 15 down to win their first NBA Cup group game.

LeBron James out. Luka out. Austin Reaves basically played the lead singer role all week — averaging 40 on 50% shooting with 10 assists. So Reaves got asked about Doncic possibly averaging 40.

Reaves said it’s possible, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

Doncic’s answer? “Austin’s stupid.”

Perfect.

Reaves finished with 21 Friday and the Lakers got key work from Marcus Smart (12 points) and Jake LaRavia (13).

Deandre Ayton didn’t return in the second half due to back spasms but said he could’ve gone if called upon — he expects to play Sunday vs Miami.

And Sunday? Another chance at 40.

Another chance to keep this “Doncic doing Wilt things” run alive.

“Fantasticness,” Marcus Smart called it.

There’s not really a better word.