Luka Doncic is on an absolute tear to start the season, dropping an average of 36 points per game and already lighting up the scoreboard with a 50-point performance. The Lakers are kicking off their 2026-27 NBA Cup tournament run with this kind of firepower, and after a 4-1 start to the regular season, you gotta feel good about their chances. They hold an impressive 13-3 record in the tournament’s history, which is second best all-time, and they’re looking to grab their second NBA Cup after winning the inaugural one in 2023.
Lakers Offense Is Red Hot, But Group C Is No Joke
This Lakers squad is leading the entire league in scoring through the early part of the season, averaging a staggering 123.2 points per game. Doncic, the 2025-26 scoring champion, is absolutely on pace to repeat, and he’s not doing it alone. Austin Reaves is right there with him, making them a seriously promising duo. Plus, you’ve got center Walker Kessler shaping up to be a real wild card for this team. He’s gotta anchor the defense, no doubt, but he’s already shown he can contribute big offensively, too. The man had back-to-back strong outings to start the year, including a perfect 12-for-12 from the field for 26 points and another 22 points against the Clippers in their second game.
Their NBA Cup journey starts against the Warriors, a team they’ve already dismantled 127-105 earlier this season. That’s a good sign, because Group C is stacked with Pacific Division rivals like the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, and Sacramento Kings. The Lakers have gone 1-1 against teams in their group so far, which tells you it won’t be a cakewalk.
Early Season Bumps and Major Threats
Even with all that offensive firepower, there are definitely some early season headaches for the Lakers. Health is always a factor, and Doncic already missed his first game of the season earlier this week with some back tightness. Ziaire Williams has also sat out two games with left foot soreness. You can’t make a deep run if your key guys aren’t on the floor.
On the court, the biggest threat in Group C has got to be Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. They’re coming off an NBA Finals appearance, so you know they mean business, even if they’re only 3-2 to start this season. Then there are the Portland Trail Blazers, who have already handed the Lakers a loss this season, winning 136-129. That was a rough one where Damian Lillard and three other Blazers scored more than 20 points, overcoming a monster night from Doncic (41 points, 9 assists) and Reaves (26 points). The Lakers struggled big time to get stops and got outscored 34-26 in the fourth quarter. They cannot afford to let that happen again in the tournament.
The Lakers kick off their NBA Cup schedule on Friday, October 30, on the road against the Warriors. They’ll then host the Trail Blazers on Friday, November 6, before facing the Kings at home on November 20. Their final group stage game is on Friday, November 27, against the Spurs. It’s an early test for a team that’s shown serious offensive punch but also some defensive struggles and nagging injuries. Can Doncic keep this scoring pace, and can Kessler step up to anchor the defense? We’ll see how they handle the pressure of the tournament starting this Friday.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply