Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

NBA Announces Luka Doncic Milestone During Lakers Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Jan 30, 2026 8:51 PM ET

Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to bounce back following their deflating 129-99 blowout loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. They are back in action on Friday in another road matchup, this time facing off against the Washington Wizards.

Doncic logged 29 points, five rebounds, six assists and three triples in 30 minutes against the Cavs on Wednesday. By his extremely high standards, that was a relatively modest night for the six-time All-Star.

This was not the case on Friday night, though. Doncic went off in the first half against the Wizards en route to making NBA history again.

Los Angeles Lakers forward/guard Luka Doncic (77) heads to the locker room.Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Doncic has been incredible in his first full season with the Lakers. Entering Friday’s matchup, the 6-foot-8 guard averaged a league-high 33.6 points on 47.4% shooting, 7.7 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.5 steals. Doncic is also knocking down 3.5 triples per game on a 34.4% clip.

He wasted no time making his mark on Friday’s contest. Doncic amassed a triple-double by halftime in just 19 minutes of action. This prompted a historic announcement from the NBA.

“A triple-double in under 20 minutes for Luka Dončić He records the second first half 25+ PT triple-double of the play-by-play era (1997-98),” the league posted on X.

A triple-double in under 20 minutes for Luka Dončić

26 PTS
10 REB
11 AST
19 MIN

He records the second first half 25+ PT triple-double of the play-by-play era (1997-98).

The only other instance?

Himself in 2023. pic.twitter.com/l7SliYJB9u
— NBA (@NBA) January 31, 2026

As the NBA’s post indicates, the only other player to record a 25-point triple-double since the 1997-98 season is also Doncic.

On top of that, the Lakers superstar also registered the second-fastest triple-double by a guard in NBA history. He logged his triple-double in 18 minutes and four seconds, which is roughly half a minute shy of Russell Westbrook’s 17:35 record.

It is worth noting that Doncic had an injury scare against the Cavs. He tweaked his ankle and had to leave the game, but was able to return to finish the contest.

The 26-year-old was initially deemed questionable to play against the Wizards. However, his first-half performance clearly indicates that his ankle is fine.

The Lakers entered Friday’s game with a 28-18 record and No. 6 in the Western Conference.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: