Luka Doncic scored 52 points, alongside 10 assists and eight rebounds, to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 132-123 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday at Delta Center. The performance marked Doncic’s second 50-point game of his career and the first in a Lakers uniform.
Doncic’s offensive outburst included eight three-pointers on 17-of-30 shooting, while Austin Reaves contributed 29 points with four three-pointers, including a go-ahead shot with 34 seconds remaining. The Lakers overcame an 18-point deficit in the second quarter, outscoring the Jazz 45-24 in the second half to secure the win.
Walker Kessler, acquired by the Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal this offseason, recorded two points on one-of-two shooting with seven rebounds in his return to Salt Lake City. Colin Sexton added 13 points off the bench for Utah.
The Lakers improved to 3-0 to start the season, while the Jazz fell to 0-3. The game featured late-game chants of “MVP!” directed at Doncic, who raised three fingers toward the Utah crowd after hitting three clutch three-pointers in the fourth quarter.
Doncic’s performance placed him in exclusive company, joining Lakers legends Elgin Baylor and Jerry West as the only players in franchise history to record a 50-point, 10-assist game. Baylor accomplished the feat twice during his career.
The Lakers trailed 47-29 after the first quarter but responded with a 45-24 second-half run to take control. Reaves’ dagger three-pointer extended the lead to seven points with under a minute remaining, effectively sealing the victory.
Kessler, who averaged 24 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in the Lakers’ first two contests, struggled with limited offensive production in his return to Utah. The Jazz did not feature a highlight reel for Kessler’s return, a common practice for players switching teams.
Doncic’s step-back jump shot and one-legged finishes were highlighted in postgame coverage, underscoring his offensive versatility. The Lakers’ 3-0 start contrasts with LeBron James’ Philadelphia 76ers, who also began the season 3-0 but faced a tougher test at home.