Zach LaVine is the best scorer in the NBA this year.
While saying that only 14 days into 2025 feels like cheating, there is no denying how incredible the two-time All-Star has been since the calendar turned. LaVine has strung together six straight games of 30+ points, which marks the longest such streak of his career. Even more impressive, his 33.8 points per game sits atop the NBA leaderboards since New Year’s Day, per NBA Stats. Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic ranks just behind with 32.8 points a night, while current MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is third with 32.0 points per contest.
The jaw-dropping numbers don’t stop there. Among the five players averaging 30.0 points per game to begin 2025, LaVine also leads all with a 58.0 percent success rate from the field. The next closest field goal percentage is owned by Jokic and Jalen Green, who are shooting a distant 51.2 percent. How remarkable is that?
To be sure, we have seen some pretty epic scoring stretches from LaVine before, but there is something particularly astounding about this six-game run. He isn’t merely beating up against bad opponents or dominating behind the arc. Half of these games have been against teams that currently rank Top 15 in defensive rating. LaVine has also sunk more than three shots from downtown in only one of the performances. Instead, he has been hunting high-percentage looks at the rim and forcing his way to the free-throw line. LaVine is averaging nearly 6.0 FTAs per game, which is roughly two more attempts a night than his season average.
The 29-year-old is reminding everyone of how effective he can be in scoring at all three levels. He is now up to 12 games with 30+ points this season, which is ninth-most in the NBA, per Statmuse. Giannis Antetokounmpo is also the only other player in the league to match LaVine’s current six-game streak. When we consider Antetokounmpo has quite the staggering advantage in the strength and size departments, this makes the accomplishment for LaVine that much more amazing. We’re not talking about somebody who has the ability to bulldoze his opponents and feast at the rim. LaVine is doing this primarily by draining jump shots, beating players off the dribble, or outhustling teams in transition.
Speaking of which, what has really made this six-game stretch feel special is everything he has done between buckets. One night he is dishing 7 assists and the next he is grabbing 10 rebounds. He is putting any concerns about a one-dimensional game to bed. LaVine is showing that he isn’t simply some kind of glorified scorer but rather someone who can now impact the game on multiple levels. Hence why he has a career-high +9.7 On/Off differential, per Cleaning the Glass.
Zach LaVine’s Last Six Games
@ Washington โ 32 PTS (12-20 FG, 3-8 3PT), 3 AST, 2 STL
vs. New York โ 33 PTS (13-21 FG, 3-6 3PT), 7 AST, 4 REB
vs. San Antonio โ 35 PTS (13-25 FG, 3-6 3PT), 8 AST, 10 REB
@ Indiana โ 31 PTS (12-20 FG, 2-6 3PT), 4 AST, 4 REB
vs. Washington โ 33 PTS (14-21 FG, 3-7 3PT), 3 AST, 5 REB
vs. Sacramento โ 36 PTS (12-24 FG, 5-8 3PT), 4 AST, 10 REB
While we’re all curious to see if LaVine can keep the streak alive, the real question centers around what it could mean. The trade deadline is in a little over three weeks, and LaVine’s name has been a mainstay on the market for a year-plus. Genuine interest in the two-time All-Star has struggled to materialize as long as he’s been available, but could this finally be enough to change that?
As many of the numbers shared above show, few players in the league are capable of playing at such an elite level offensively. Does that mean the remaining two years, $95.0 million on Zach LaVine’s deal isn’t a big commitment? Of course not, but it should make it a MUCH easier pill to swallow.