MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Before missing three games because of a finger injury and a lower leg injury, Lakers star Luka Doncic was off to a historic start to the season.

And the 26-year-old Slovenian star picked right back up where he left off on Friday night, scoring 44 points and leading the Lakers to a 117-112 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies to kick off NBA Cup Group Play at FedExForum.

Doncic’s scoring total marked the third consecutive 40-point performance to open the season, following the 43 points he scored in the season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21 and the 49 points he had in the Oct. 24 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Doncic, who also had 12 rebounds and six assists, became just the second player in league history to begin a season with three consecutive

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