Unstoppable: Luka Magic is back!
At the top of the West Conference, competing with the best. After LeBron James's departure, scepticism grew about the future of the Los Angeles Lakers, whether they had the tools to compete with the conference's elite teams, and how the absence of one of the world's best players would affect the rest of the roster.
The Lakers are 10 games into the season, and superstar Luka Doncic has already established himself as a clear MVP frontrunner after taking the season by storm. Doncic has wasted no time reminding the league why he is one of the most unstoppable offensive players in the world.
The newest Los Angeles icon has taken his scoring to another level to open the 2026-27 campaign, putting together one spectacular performance after another. Luka Magic continues.
Through his first nine games, the Slovenian superstar is averaging an incredible 40.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game, leading the league in scoring. He has already recorded multiple 40-point performances, including a terrific 52-point outing against the Utah Jazz on October 25th, 2026. And just when opponents thought they had seen enough, Doncic found another gear.
On November 6th, 2026, Doncic poured in a season-high 53 points against the Portland Trail Blazers, shooting 17-of-33 from the field and highlighting his performance with an unbelievable shot from beyond half-court.
So far, Doncic seems to have an answer to every defensive scheme thrown at him, and he has taken complete control of the Lakers' offence. If he continues playing at this historic pace, he will most likely be heading toward another scoring title and possibly his first MVP award.
Furthermore, his craft could take the Lakers on a deep postseason run.
Michaela Trider
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Jrue Holiday joins NBA's top 100 all-time scorers
Jrue Holiday reached another milestone in his remarkable NBA career on Friday, moving into the league's top 100 all-time scorers. The 36-year-old surpassed Hall of Famer Steve Nash's 17,387 career points during Portland's 124-118 loss to the Lakers, finishing the night with 17,393. While scoring has never been his defining quality, the achievement reflects the consistency of a player now in his 18th NBA season.
Holiday has settled into a valuable role with the Trail Blazers, who have opened the season with a 6-3 record. Despite coming off the bench in all nine games, he is averaging 13 points, four assists and 3.6 rebounds in just under 26 minutes, shooting an impressive 51.3% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range. He also contributed 17 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in Portland's 118-110 win over Denver.
But Holiday's contributions extend far beyond scoring. A two-time NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 and Boston in 2024, he has earned six All-Defensive selections and remains one of the league's most respected veterans.
Perhaps even more telling is his record three Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year awards, won in 2020, 2022 and 2023. Unlike most individual honours, the award is voted on by fellow NBA players and recognises leadership, selflessness and commitment to the team.
Holiday also ranks among the NBA's most accomplished playmakers, sitting 21st on the all-time assists list with nearly 6,800, the third-highest total among active players. With Klay Thompson just ahead of him in career points, further milestones could soon follow.
Yet for Portland, his greatest value may be something the scoring charts cannot fully capture: the experience, defensive intelligence and leadership of a player who has already helped two different franchises win championships.
Natalie Csurillova
No Edwards, no problem for the Wolves
Four matches, including two in which he scored 45+ points: Anthony Edwards’ season had got off to a flying start. But then, like so many other players this season, 'Ant-Man' was struck down by injury, leaving his teammates to cope without him for two months.
And for now, they’re doing just fine. The Minnesota Timberwolves have just racked up four wins in a row, despite fears of a slight slump in the absence of their superstar. However, statistically speaking, the starting five of LaMelo Ball, Ayo Dosunmu, Jaden McDaniels, Jonathan Kuminga and Rudy Gobert aren’t performing quite as well as when Edwards was in Dosunmu’s place.
But the results speak for themselves: the Wolves are fourth in the formidable Western Conference. Without a single player averaging 20+ points. ‘Team effort’ is a term that is often overused, but here it takes on its full meaning.
It is difficult, however, to explain exactly why, but there is no doubt that their play is more fluid and more enjoyable, and today, Minnesota are second in terms of field goals made, have the best defensive rating, are the best team on the boards, and feature in the top 10 in numerous other statistical categories, notably shooting accuracy.
But there’s no question about saying this is a team that doesn’t need its leader: this run of form is excellent news. Indeed, no one has tried to take centre stage in the leader’s absence.
Ball, Dosunmu, McDaniels, Kuminga, and even Bones Hyland - who had struggled in the early matches - have all increased their points per game totals significantly enough to make up for Edwards’ injury. In doing so, they have demonstrated their ability to adapt in spectacular fashion.
So Anthony Edwards’ injury may well been for the best. That’s a bold claim, but it will help forge a truly united team, ready for any challenge. And when 'Ant-Man' and his 30-point average return to action, the Wolves could well have a collective force to be reckoned with on the court.
And in the play-offs, it will be of the utmost importance…
Sébastien Gente