Luka Doncic’s 52 points powered the Lakers past Utah, 132-123, after the Jazz’s 47-point opening quarter.
Utah burst out with 47 points in the first quarter, leading Los Angeles by 18 before the Lakers answered. Luka Doncic drove the turnaround with 52 points on 17-of-30 shooting, adding 8 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, no blocks and 4 turnovers. Los Angeles outscored Utah 45-24 in the second quarter to take a 74-71 halftime lead, then kept its advantage through a 29-29 third. Austin Reaves supplied 29 points on 7-of-12 shooting, with 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks and 3 turnovers. Lauri Markkanen led Utah with 28 points on 9-of-19 shooting, plus 6 rebounds, 1 assist, no steals or blocks and 1 turnover. Keyonte George added 24 points on 7-of-13 shooting and 9 rebounds and 10 assists, but had 1 steal, no blocks and 6 turnovers. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 20 on 7-of-14 shooting, with 2 rebounds, 1 assist, no steals or blocks and 4 turnovers. The Lakers closed it out by winning the fourth quarter 29-23 for a 132-123 road victory.
Key Performers
Luka Doncic, Lakers: 52 PTS, 8 REB, 10 AST; 17/30 FG Austin Reaves, Lakers: 29 PTS, 4 AST, 2 BLK; 7/12 FG Lauri Markkanen, Jazz: 28 PTS, 6 REB; 9/19 FG
Standings Impact
Los Angeles improves from 2-0 to 3-0, while Utah falls from 1-1 to 1-2. The Lakers are ranked fifth in the supplied power index; the Jazz are 20th.
DYMA Insight
The Lakers turned an 18-point first-quarter hole into a halftime lead by winning the second quarter 45-24. Doncic’s 52 points led the charge, while Reaves added 29.