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 Salt Lake City.
It was 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 3-pointers that gave Los Angeles a 127-121 lead with 1:42 left.
Doncic also recorded 10 assists and seven rebounds. Austin Reaves added 29 points for the Lakers. The pair combined to shoot 21-of-24 from the free throw line.
“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.”
Doncic Joins Elite Company
It was Doncic’s fourth career 50-point, 10-assist game. That broke a tie with Nikola Jokic, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard and Nate Archibald for the second most in NBA history. James Harden leads the list with eight.
Doncic scored or assisted on 79 points Sunday. That ranks third most in a game in Lakers history, behind 86 from Kobe Bryant in his 81-point game on Jan. 22, 2006, and 80 from Elgin Baylor on Nov. 8, 1959.
Doncic also became the second player in NBA history to post a 50-point, 10-assist game with multiple franchises, having played for the Lakers and the Mavericks. He joined Wilt Chamberlain, who did it with the 76ers and Warriors.
Kessler Returns to Utah
Walker Kessler had two points and seven rebounds in his first game back in Utah since 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.”
Jazz Rally Falls Short
Lauri Markkanen scored 28 points to lead the Jazz, who blew an 18-point second-quarter lead. Keyonte George had 24 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists for Utah. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 20 points, while Ace Bailey chipped in 17 points and 12 rebounds.
“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.”
Doncic hit a step-back 3-pointer with 4.1 seconds left in the first half to give the Lakers their first lead, 74-71.
What’s Next
The Lakers are 3-0 for the second time in the past 10 seasons, with the last coming in 2024-25. They return home to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.