Luka Doncic scored 52 points, hitting eight 3-pointers, to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 132-123 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday
In the first 50-point game this season in the NBA, Doncic made several big baskets late in the fourth quarter to help the Lakers win for the eighth time in their past nine games against Utah. He finished off a 14-5 go-ahead run with back-to-back 3s that gave Los Angeles a 127-121 lead with 1:42 left.
Doncic also had 10 assists and seven rebounds. Austin Reaves added 29 points for the Lakers. The pair combined to shoot 21-of-24 on free throws.
His efficiency, it’s off the roof
“His efficiency, it’s off the roof. And just to have him next to me leading this team, it’s awesome,” Doncic said. “He keep going like that, he’s going to be really good for us.”
It was Doncic’s fourth career 50-point and 10-assist game, breaking a tie with Nikola Jokic, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard and Nate Archibald for the second most in NBA history behind James Harden (8).
Doncic becomes the second player in NBA history to have a 50-point, 10-assist game with multiple franchises (Lakers and Mavericks), joining Wilt Chamberlain (76ers and Warriors).
Walker Kessler had only two points and seven
Walker Kessler had only two points and seven rebounds in his first game back in Utah after being sent to Los Angeles in a sign-and-trade deal in July.
“Obviously it wasn’t his best game, but we won the game and he … had two fantastic first games, which was awesome,” Doncic said. “So I told him, we told him … just move on. We won this game, we got your back, and just move on to the next game.”
Lauri Markkanen scored 28 points to lead the Jazz, who blew an 18-point second-quarter lead.
“We show a lot of character, a lot of heart. … It’s an away game, you’re down 20, you can easily just go away. But we stay in the game, we talk to each other, and everybody talks a lot about the team,” Doncic said. “I think we showed a lot of potential there, and we just came back and everybody was locked in.”
Keyonte George had 24 points, nine rebounds
Keyonte George had 24 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists for the Jazz. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 20 points while Ace Bailey chipped in 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Doncic hit a step-back 3-pointer with 4.1 seconds left in the first half to give the Lakers their first lead at 74-71.
The Lakers are 3-0 for the second time in the past 10 seasons, the last coming in 2024-25. They next play at home against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
