Luka Doncic scored 53 points, including a decisive jumper with 28 seconds remaining, as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 124-118 on Friday.
Doncic delivered his 11th career 50-point game and fourth with the Lakers, helping Los Angeles extend its winning streak to four games. Portland cut a 12-point deficit to four late, but Doncic and Austin Reaves combined for 10 points down the stretch.
The Slovenian guard shot 17-of-33 from the field, made five three-pointers and converted 14 of 18 free throws. He also recorded five rebounds and five assists in 38 minutes.
Doncic scored 20 points in the third quarter, when the Lakers erased Portland’s advantage with a 17-0 run. Los Angeles outscored the Trail Blazers 34-15 in the period after trailing by seven at halftime.
The performance extended Doncic’s remarkable scoring run. He has reached 40 points in six of his last seven games, including four consecutive outings, while adding a 37-point performance.
He also became the fourth Lakers player to score at least 40 points in four straight regular-season games, joining Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant and George Mikan. Doncic passed Mikan for fifth place on the franchise’s all-time list of 40-point games after just 101 regular-season appearances with Los Angeles.
Doncic has also recorded at least 35 points, five rebounds, five assists and five three-pointers in seven consecutive games.
Reaves contributed 25 points, while Walker Kessler posted 16 points and 12 rebounds for Los Angeles. Sandro Mamukelashvili added seven points off the bench.
Deni Avdija led Portland with 22 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. Damian Lillard also scored 22, while Toumani Camara added 18 and Donovan Clingan finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The Lakers overcame a 16-point second-quarter deficit before building a 16-point advantage early in the fourth. Portland scored 43 points in the final period and repeatedly threatened, but could not complete the comeback.
Los Angeles also avenged its 136-129 loss to Portland on October 27. The Lakers improved to 8-2, while the Trail Blazers fell to 6-2 after losing for only the second time this season.
The Trail Blazers host San Antonio on Saturday, November 7, while the Lakers visit Detroit on Sunday, November 8.
