JJ Redick doesn’t take for granted what Luka Dončić has brought to the Lakers to start the season.

And Dončić continues to make it difficult to with the way he’s racked up historic performances, adding another one to the record books in Monday’s 138-117 home win over the Heat.

The Slovenian superstar guard recorded 42 points on 14-of-24 shooting (6 of 15 on 3-pointers), 13 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 steals to lead the Lakers to a 6-2 record on the season. 

The showing marked the fourth time in his last five games that Dončić scored at least 40 points.

And his assist total was his highest of the season. 

But what shouldn’t be overlooked was that after multiple days of questions about the connectedness of the Lakers offense, and whether they were getting to what they wanted to offenisively with the advantages Dončić created, the team’s offense flowed the smoothest it has for an entire game against the Heat. 

It wasn’t just reflected in the Lakers’ scoring total, which was a season-high. 

Or their uber-efficient 57% shooting from the field or 45% shooting on 3-pointers before garbage time late in the fourth quarter. 

It was the easy shots they created. 

And how decisive they were with attacking openings. 

Austin Reaves broke out of his mini slump, recording 27 points and 5 assists. Walker Kessler had a 15 point, 15-rebound double-double.

Sandro Mamukelashvili had 15 points and 4 assists off of the bench, continuing to be an intergral part of the team’s offensive success.