Giannis says Dončić could be best scorer of all time after 42 points in Lakers' 138-117 win

Luka Dončić scored 42 points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 138-117 victory over the Heat on Monday night, and Giannis Antetokounmpo offered high praise for the Slovenian guard. Antetokounmpo suggested Dončić might rank among, or even be, the greatest scorers ever.

Dončić is averaging 38.3 points a game this season, the best mark in the NBA. His career scoring average stands at 29.32 points per game, trailing only Michael Jordan (30.12) and Wilt Chamberlain (30.07). He sits 165th on the all-time points list with 15,289 career points and is 27 years old.

“Obviously, he’s one of the best scorers to play this game, if not the best,” Antetokounmpo said. Antetokounmpo was asked to clarify his answer and replied: “Not right now. Of all time. I feel like some people are scared to say that, but he’s got to be up there.”

In Monday’s win Dončić also recorded 13 assists and seven rebounds.

“It just feels almost anything he shoots, whether it’s a circus shot or regular step-back three, or it’s a tough floater, it just seems like everything he’s shooting is going to go in,” Dončić’s Lakers teammate Quentin Grimes said. “I don’t think I’ve ever been on the court when everything somebody shoots, you think it’s going in. So, kind of crazy little heater he’s on for sure.”

The victory moved the Lakers to 6-2 to start the season. Dončić has averaged 43.4 points over the last five games.