Luka Doncic scored 37 points and added 10 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 140-126 on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.
LeBron James returned in the first game of his 23rd NBA season, recording 11 points and 12 assists while playing 30 minutes after missing the first 14 games due to sciatica.
Austin Reaves contributed 26 points, helping the Lakers improve to 11-4 with their third straight win, while the team outscored Utah 21-5 in a decisive third-quarter run.
Keyonte George led the Jazz with 33 points, and Lauri Markkanen added 31, but Utah struggled to contain Doncic and the Lakers’ balanced attack.
James didn’t score in his first 11 minutes but moved past Reggie Miller for sixth on the NBA’s all-time three-pointers list with two made triples in the first half.
Doncic scored 17 points in the third quarter as the Lakers erased a halftime deficit and pulled away, extending Utah’s struggles in games without full strength.
Bronny James played the final 3:33 and made a 3-pointer, marking a brief moment alongside his father in the historic matchup.
Utah led early with 71 points in the first half, including 23 from George and 22 from Markkanen, but the Lakers’ defensive adjustments and floor spacing in the second half shifted momentum.
Los Angeles shot 60 percent in the second half and finished 50-of-84 overall, hitting 11 of 32 from three and converting 29 of 40 free throws.
The Lakers outrebounded Utah 41-35 and tallied 17 assists from Doncic and James combined, showing efficiency despite James’ long layoff.
Los Angeles will return to Utah for a rematch on Sunday, while the Jazz host the Thunder on Friday, aiming to regroup after losing five of seven.
