MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Luka Dončić returned from injury Friday night and immediately made history, scoring 44 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers past the Memphis Grizzlies in a thrilling 117–112 victory.

After missing three games with leg and finger injuries, Dončić looked unfazed and fully in rhythm, dazzling the crowd with deep threes, tough fadeaways, and clutch late-game buckets that sealed the win for Los Angeles.

“I feel great, you know, but obviously, if we get a win, I feel even better,” Dončić said after the game. “That’s the whole point — trying to help the team win. Sometimes it’s scoring, sometimes other things.”

With his performance, Dončić became only the second player in NBA history to open a season with three consecutive 40-point games, joining the legendary Wilt Chamberlain. Chamberlain first achieved the feat in 1961 with five straight 40-point outings, then again in 1962, opening the year with seven consecutive 40+ performances — a record that still stands.

When reporters told Dončić about Chamberlain’s record, the 25-year-old star could only shake his head and laugh. “Jesus,” he said, reacting to the stat in disbelief.

Dončić’s dominant run began with 43 points against the Golden State Warriors on opening night, followed by 49 points versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. Against Memphis, he shot 51.9 percent from the field — ironically, his least efficient game so far this season.

Beyond the scoring, Dončić also contributed eight assists and seven rebounds, continuing to prove why he’s among the NBA’s elite playmakers. His control of the pace, ability to read defenses, and precision passing kept the Lakers offense humming throughout the game.

The Lakers, who were without Anthony Davis due to precautionary rest, leaned heavily on Dončić’s scoring outburst to fend off a late Grizzlies rally. Memphis guard Ja Morant poured in 34 points of his own, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Dončić’s brilliance.

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham praised his star’s resilience postgame. “The kid’s just different,” Ham said. “He comes off an injury, and it’s like he never missed a step. His competitiveness and leadership are setting the tone for this team.”

Dončić’s early-season explosion has put the Lakers in prime position atop the Western Conference standings and reignited MVP chatter around the Slovenian superstar.

With the way he’s playing, joining Chamberlain might just be the beginning.