Luka Dončić delivered one of the most dominant performances of the NBA season, posting a 45-point triple-double to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 143-135 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. The star guard finished with 45 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds, also adding five steals in a near-historic stat line that powered the Lakers past a high-scoring Jazz team.
The win marked the Lakers’ third victory over Utah this season and showcased just how central Dončić has become to Los Angeles’ offensive identity. His performance not only kept the Lakers competitive in a game filled with fast-paced scoring but also highlighted his all-around impact on both ends of the floor.
Dončić’s night was one for the franchise history books. It was his 85th career triple-double and his fifth of the season with the Lakers, underscoring his elite playmaking alongside his scoring prowess. Teammate LeBron James also had a strong outing, contributing 28 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as part of a dynamic backcourt duo that proved difficult for the Jazz to contain.
Utah fought hard throughout the contest, with Keyonte George leading the Jazz with 34 points and eight assists, and Isaiah Collier adding an 18-point, 13-assist double-double off the bench. Ace Bailey (19 points) and others provided additional offensive firepower, making the high scoreline a reflection of both teams’ offensive strengths. However, Utah was playing without leading scorer Lauri Markkanen, an absence that likely impacted their ability to match the Lakers’ firepower late in the game.
The Jazz jumped out quickly, shooting efficiently early and building a 41-32 lead after the first quarter, but the Lakers stayed within striking distance thanks largely to Dončić’s 25 first-half points and playmaking. When Utah’s shooting cooled after halftime, Los Angeles took advantage, chipping away at the deficit and eventually taking control in a crucial fourth-quarter push.
Lakers bench contributions also played a role in the comeback, with Marcus Smart scoring 17 and Jaxson Hayes adding 16 points on perfect shooting from the field. Those complementary performances helped ease the burden on Dončić and James and provided the Lakers with a balanced attack in the second half.
Coaches and analysts noted that Dončić’s performance was not just about scoring but also about his efficiency and control of the game. He recorded just one turnover, a remarkable feat given his high usage rate and influence on possessions, and his ability to orchestrate the offence and make winning plays down the stretch was widely praised.
The win improves the Lakers’ standing as they continue to build momentum amid a competitive Western Conference, and Dončić’s dazzling showing only solidifies his case as one of the league’s most dominant and versatile stars.
Overall, Dončić’s 45-point triple-double was a spectacular individual achievement that lifted the Lakers to a key road victory and reaffirmed his place among the NBA’s elite performers.
