Luka Doncic scores 32 as Lakers extend winning streak to six games

Luka Doncic returned to the lineup after missing one game with lower-back tightness and led Los Angeles to a 124-114 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, extending the team's winning streak to six games. Doncic posted 32 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, ending his run of four consecutive 40-plus-point games.

Lakers coach JJ Redick praised Doncic's playmaking, saying, "> Luka again, you know, [was] just orchestrating. I thought he was really just a willing passer. He ended up with 10 assists ... but could have had 15, 16 assists."

The win came despite the absence of Austin Reaves (illness) and Quentin Grimes (sprained finger), who had combined for 55 points and eight assists in the previous game. Bench contributor Sandro Mamukelashvili recorded a season-high 23 points with eight rebounds, while Collin Sexton added 18 points and six assists. Center Walker Kessler posted his third straight double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Ziaire Williams contributed 12 points.

Earlier in the day, Doncic was named Western Conference Player of the Week after averaging 45 points over a 4-0 stretch. When asked about his scoring mindset, Redick said, "> To me, he is first a competitor. You see it in everything he does throughout his daily life and his existence, he just loves competing, and so I think when he gets on a basketball court, that's -- the first priority is to try to win."

Defensively, the Lakers, ranked 21st in league defensive efficiency, limited the Hawks to 114 points, below their 118.6 average, and forced 19 turnovers, well above Atlanta's typical 14.5. After the game, Doncic noted, "> I think we can be way better than 21st. I think we have the potential for that."