A stellar performance by Luka Dončić in Utah, with the Slovenian putting on his best offensive performance of the NBA season and leading the Lakers to a 132-123 victory over the Jazz.
Dončić finished with 52 points, making eight three-pointers, and capped off his spectacular night with 10 assists and 7 rebounds. This marks his first 50-point game of the season, with the Lakers star taking charge of the crucial possessions down the stretch.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
With the game hanging in the balance, Dončić capped off a decisive 14-5 run by the Lakers with two consecutive three-pointers, making it 127-121 with 1:42 remaining. From that point on, Los Angeles didn’t let Utah come back.
This performance placed Dončić on a very special list in Lakers history. He became only the third player in franchise history, after Elgin Baylor, who had done so twice, and Jerry West, who had done so once, to record a 50+-point game with double-digit assists.
Austin Reaves also made a significant contribution, adding 29 points, with the Lakers’ two stars combining for 21-of-24 free throws. The Los Angeles team thus secured its eighth win in its last nine games against the Jazz.
Utah had even led by as many as 18 points in the second quarter, but failed to maintain control. Dončić gave the Lakers their first lead with a step-back three-pointer with 4.1 seconds left in the half to make it 74–71, gradually shifting the momentum of the game.
For the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen led the team in scoring with 28 points, while Kyode George had 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 20 points, and Ace Bailey recorded a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
It was also a special game for Walker Kessler, who returned to Utah for the first time as an opponent since his trade to the Lakers this summer, finishing the game with 2 points and 7 rebounds.
*photo source: AP
