Luka Dončić scores 52 points as Lakers beat Jazz to start season 3-0
Luka Dončić recorded 52 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists in the Lakers' 132-123 win over Utah, marking his 10th career 50-point game and the franchise's third such performance.
Luka Dončić led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 132-123 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday, scoring 52 points while adding eight rebounds and 10 assists. He shot 17 of 30 from the floor, including 8 of 18 from three-point range, and converted 10 of 11 free throws. The performance marked the 10th time Dončić has reached the 50-point mark in his NBA career and made him the third player in Lakers history to record at least 50 points and 10 assists in a single game, joining Elgin Baylor and Jerry West.
The Lakers overcame a 47-29 deficit after the first quarter, outscoring the Jazz by 21 points in the second quarter to take a 74-71 halftime lead. Dončić contributed 25 points in the first half, and his scoring continued in the second half, including a decisive three-pointer with 2.1 seconds left in the third quarter that gave Los Angeles a three-point lead.
In the final period, the Jazz briefly reclaimed the lead, but Dončić responded with a three-pointer to tie the game, drew a charge, and sank two free throws to put the Lakers ahead. Austin Reaves added a late three-pointer with 33.8 seconds remaining, and Dončić sealed the win with two free throws in the closing seconds.
Reaves finished with 29 points, shooting 4 of 5 from three, while Collin Sexton contributed 13 off the bench. Utah's top scorer was Lauri Markkanen with 28 points, and Keyonte George recorded 24 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists. The Lakers will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.