Luka Dončić’s big performance led a second-half turnaround in Utah. Chris Nicoll / Imagn Images
SALT LAKE CITY — Luka Dončić, the NBA’s leading scorer, scored 45 points to go with 11 rebounds and 14 assists, leading the Lakers to a 143-135 win against the Jazz in Utah on Thursday night.
It was his third triple-double of the season and the second 45-point triple-double for any player this season, joining Detroit’s Cade Cunningham. According to Stathead, it’s just the third 45-point triple-double in Lakers history (Elgin Baylor did it twice).
Dončić, who was called for one of the Lakers’ three technical fouls, settled the game down in the second half, helping the Lakers come back from 9 down in the third quarter. Later in the game, he found Jaxson Hayes with a lob to help seal the game.
After the pass, Dončić ran down the court and gestured for the Jazz fans to sit back down after he extinguished their final rally.
“It’s Luka magic,” LeBron James said. “There’s no surprise. He’s just so damn good. It’s ridiculous.”
James, in his 10th game of the season, had 28 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. He and Dončić had just three turnovers combined.
In 20 games this season, Dončić is averaging a career-high 35.2 points.
The scoring barrage came with the Lakers playing without Austin Reaves (calf) and Deandre Ayton (elbow) and the team’s inconsistent defense again putting the Lakers in a bind. Utah’s 78 points at halftime were the most allowed by the Lakers this season.