THE ART BEHIND LUKA MAGIC ✨ In the NBA’s 81-year history, only three players have scored 260+ points through their first seven games of a season: Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry and Luka Dončić. Wilt accomplished the feat three times (1959, ’61, ’62), while Barry did it once (1966). For decades, no one else joined them. Until Luka, who has now done it in back-to-back seasons. Special Start: Dončić opened last season with 260 points in his first seven outings, averaging 37.1 ppg. Greater Heights: This year, he’s raised the bar, racking up 268 points on an absurd 38.3 ppg. League Of His Own: That includes five straight games of 35+ pts, 5+ ast, 5+ reb and 5+ 3s. The rest of the NBA has just five such games combined this season. “We got to witness it for a month last year, and it was like supernova,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick of Luka’s start on Sunday. “It was loud. And it feels loud right now … but it also feels normal.” But it’s not normal. Because somehow, the reigning scoring champ has elevated his offensive game yet again. How’s he doing it? Let’s break it down. The Shotmaking: With a career-high 39% usage rate, Dončić is shouldering more of the Lakers’ offense than ever, demanding constant attention from opposing defenses. The problem? He can score from anywhere – at an elite clip. Inside & Out: Dončić is averaging 11.9 ppg off drives (6th in the NBA), yet just 18.7% of his points have come inside the paint, the lowest share of his career. One Reason Why? His intermediate scoring has reached another level, as he’s shooting a career-best 55.2% from the midrange, trailing only Kevin Durant (64.5%) for the best mark in the NBA (min. 25 FGA). Deadly From Deep: To top it off? He’s shooting a scorching 42.7% from 3, leading the NBA with 5.9 treys per game. “It seems like everything he shoots is going to go in,” said Quentin Grimes. “It’s kind of surreal. I don’t think I’ve ever been on the court when everything somebody shoots, you think it’s going in.” The Dilemma: Send extra help and Dončić will make you pay, using his gravity and world-class vision to create open looks for teammates. The Playmaking: Luka is dishing out 8.1 dimes per game, the 3rd-most in the NBA, while directly accounting for 57.9 ppg through his scoring and assists. The Perspective: That’s nearly 12 points more than the next closest player and accounts for 41.3% of the Lakers’ total scoring. The Ripple Effect: Los Angeles has eight players averaging 8+ points, while ranking 1st in field goal percentage (52%) and 2nd in 3-point percentage (39.7%). The Result: The Lakers lead the league in offensive rating (121.9) and have scored 120+ points an NBA-best six times in eight games. “It’s pick your poison because he can just make any shot. And then you start putting two on the ball, and everybody else is the beneficiary of that,” said Redick of Dončić Sunday. “He’s a terrific offensive engine.” Tonight on League Pass (10 ET), Luka looks to continue his rare tear as the 6-2 Lakers seek their third straight win, visiting the Kings. For basketball fans, it’s another chance to watch a generational talent go to work. Just ask Giannis: “A guy like Luka, obviously, he’s one of the best scorers to ever play this game – if not, the best … not right now, of all time.”