Luka Doncic scores 40 as the Lakers beat the Kings for a 7-2 start

Luka Doncic scored 40 points on Wednesday night, and the Lakers beat the Kings 116-103 in Sacramento for their seventh win in nine games.

It was Doncic's sixth straight game with at least 35 points and his third straight with 40 or more. He has 308 points in the eight games he has played, and he's the first player to top 300 through his first eight games of a season since Michael Jordan scored 303 in 1988-89. Only Wilt Chamberlain has scored more that early, and he did it three times, topping out at 418 in 1962-63.

How he did it

Doncic made 11 of 23 shots, 6 of 13 from 3 and 12 of 13 at the line. He added nine rebounds and seven assists in 35 minutes. Austin Reaves scored 21 on 7-of-15 shooting, and Walker Kessler had 15 points, eight rebounds, three steals and four blocks.

There was also a scene late in the third quarter. After a ball went out of bounds near the baseline, a fan threw it hard at official Chelisa Painter. Doncic pointed at the fan right away, and security removed him from his seat.

Top performers

1. Luka Doncic, LAL: 40 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, six 3-pointers.
2. Darius Acuff Jr., SAC: 22 points and 12 assists.
3. Austin Reaves, LAL: 21 points, 6 of 6 at the line.
4. Zach LaVine, SAC: 21 points, 3 of 7 from 3.
5. Domantas Sabonis, SAC: 16 points and 17 rebounds.
6. Walker Kessler, LAL: 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks.

The rookie Acuff played 42 minutes but needed 24 shots for his 22 points.

Where it leaves them

The Kings won for the first time Monday at Dallas and couldn't follow it up. They're 1-7 and 0-3 at home.

The Lakers are 7-2 and host 6-1 Portland on Friday night, with the Trail Blazers coming off their fifth straight road win. Sacramento hosts San Antonio and Victor Wembanyama the same night.