Luka Doncic scored 44 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers 128-117 Friday at Crypto.com Arena.
Doncic made seven 3-pointers on 14-for-25 shooting and finished the first three quarters before sitting out the fourth, picking up the scoring load in the absence of LeBron James.
The Slovenian superstar scored 22 points in the first quarter, marking his fifth 20-point opening period this season, the most in the NBA over the past 30 years. He added 15 points in the third quarter, including his seventh three-pointer, setting the tone for Los Angeles’ fourth win in five games.
Austin Reaves contributed 19 points before fouling out with 4:58 remaining, while Luke Kennard added 15 points and seven rebounds. Marcus Smart scored 11 points on his 32nd birthday, and the Lakers increased their lead without Doncic in the fourth quarter.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 26 points, and Andrew Nembhard added 17. Indiana struggled from deep, making only 2 of 19 3-pointers in the first half, part of a stretch that extended their losing streak to eight games since the All-Star break.
The Lakers were also without starting center Deandre Ayton due to a knee injury, yet Los Angeles shot 53% from the field and 46% from three-point range, maintaining control despite missing key players.
Doncic became the fourth player in Lakers history with at least 10 games of 40-plus points in a season, joining Kobe Bryant, Elgin Baylor, and Jerry West. He now leads the NBA in 40-point games this season, surpassing Anthony Edwards.
Los Angeles improves to 38-25, while Indiana falls to 15-48, remaining last in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers visit Portland on Sunday, and the Lakers host the New York Knicks on the same day.
