Giannis Antetokounmpo has delivered high praise to fellow All-Star Luka Dončić after the Los Angeles Lakers guard scored 42 points in a decisive victory over Antetokounmpo's Miami Heat on Monday night. The Lakers defeated the Heat with a final score of 138-117, a performance that elevated Dončić's season scoring average to 38.3 points per game, currently the highest in the NBA.
When asked about Dončić's standing among the league's elite, Antetokounmpo remarked that the Slovenian is one of the best scorers to ever play the game, if not the best. Upon clarification regarding whether he meant the current era or history, Antetokounmpo confirmed his assessment applied to all time, suggesting that while some may be hesitant to make such a claim, Dončić belongs in that conversation.
Dončić's career scoring average of 29.32 points per game currently trails only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. Although he ranks 165th on the all-time points list with 15,289 total points, he remains just 27 years old. The Lakers have started the season with a 6-2 record, while Dončić has averaged an impressive 43.4 points over his last five games.
Lakers teammate Quentin Grimes highlighted the unusual nature of Dončić's current form, noting that it feels as though every shot he takes is destined to go in, whether it is a difficult floater or a step-back three-pointer. In addition to his 42 points, Dončić contributed 13 assists and seven rebounds during Monday's win.
Sources: The Guardian Sport.