Luka Dončić Drops 37 as LeBron James Returns, Lifts Lakers Over Jazz in High-Scoring Thriller
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Luka Dončić continued his historic start to the season as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 140 to 126 on Tuesday night. Entering the matchup, Dončić was averaging 34.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 8.9 assists, a level no player had ever reached through ten games. With LeBron James returning at full strength for the debut of his record 23rd NBA season, the Lakers delivered one of their most electric performances of the year.
James finished with 12 assists and 11 points on efficient shooting, while Dončić poured in 37 points along with five rebounds and 10 assists. The win moved the Lakers to 11-4, marking their best start in five seasons.
Utah put up an intense fight behind standout efforts from Keyonte George with 34 points and eight assists, and Lauri Markkanen with 31 points. The Jazz led 71-67 at halftime, but the Lakers responded with a dominant third quarter.
Dončić erupted for 17 points in the period, sparking a 21-5 run that flipped the game. The surge featured a tough and one finish from Luka, a Jaxson Hayes putback through contact, and a LeBron laser pass to Gabe Vincent to beat the buzzer. The Lakers turned a four-point deficit into an 11-point lead entering the fourth, and they held control the rest of the way.
Dončić now has seven games with 35 or more points, the most in the league, and is averaging 34.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, and nine assists through 11 games. LeBron delivered his second career points and assists double-double in a season debut, highlighted by two no-look passes to DeAndre Ayton, who posted 20 points and 14 rebounds. Austin Reaves added 26 points on efficient shooting as Los Angeles scored a season high in the win.