Giannis says Dončić could be best scorer of all time as Lakers star pours in 42 against Heat

Giannis Antetokounmpo has offered high praise to his fellow All-Star Luka Dončić after the Los Angeles Lakers star went on another scoring tear on Monday night.

Dončić scored 42 points in the Lakers’ 138-117 win over Antetokounmpo’s Heat to bring the Slovenian’s scoring average this season to 38.3 points per game, the best in the NBA.

“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.”

Dončić’s career scoring average of 29.32 points per game trails only those of Michael Jordan (30.12) and Wilt Chamberlain (30.07). The Slovenian is 165th on the all-time points list at 15,289, but he is still only 27.

The Lakers are 6-2 to start the season and Dončić is averaging 43.4 points over the the last five games.

“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.”

Dončić also had 13 assists and seven rebounds in Monday’s win.