Luka Doncic’s 52-point masterpiece fuels Lakers’ wild comeback against Jazz

· California Post

SALT LAKE CITY — Luka Doncic entered Sunday looking to find his offensive rhythm.

He found it in abundance at Delta Center.

The Slovenian superstar guard dropped his first 50-point game of the season, leading the Lakers to a 132-123 win over the Jazz for their third straight to kick off the 2026-27 season. 

Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during a game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images

Doncic scored 52 points on 17-of-30 shooting, hitting a trio of 3-pointers late in the game’s precarious moments.

His first stepback 3 of the fourth tied the game at 116 with just over four minutes left.

The second and third 3s put the Lakers up by five and six, respectively, putting the Lakers in full control. 

By the time Doncic was at the free throw line with 12.5 seconds left to ice the game, “M-V-P” chants filled the Jazz’ home arena.  

Los Angeles Lakers forward/guard Luka Dončić looks to shoot as Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Salt Lake City. AP Photo/Bethany Baker

Doncic shot 8-of-18 on 3s, and 10 of 11 on free throws, to go with 10 assists and 8 rebounds for a near triple-double.

Austin Reaves added 29 points on 7-of-12 shooting and 4 assists. 

Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle both scored 11 points.

The Lakers got off to a slow start, with coach JJ Redick acknowledging during his halftime interview that his team wasn’t ready to play. 

Los Angeles Lakers forward/guard Luka Donāić looks to pass the ball as Utah Jazz forward/center Lauri Markkanen blocks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Salt Lake City. AP Photo/Bethany Baker

The Jazz won the opening quarter by 18 points, taking a 47-29 lead going into the second quarter after dominating multiple areas of the game. 

They had six offensive rebounds, with Ace Bailey having five of them, and 16 second-chance points in the first. The Jazz scored 24 points in the paint and went 5-of-10 on 3s in the opening frame, with the Lakers struggling to contain the Jazz.

After being a brilliant third quarter team in the first two games, the Lakers didn’t wait until halftime to flip the game back in their favor.

They outscored the Jazz 45-24 in the second, with Reaves doing the heavy lifting, scoring 15 points to get the Lakers back in the game. Doncic closed out the quarter by stripping Bailey on his drive to the rim before hitting a pull-up 3, giving the Lakers a 74-71 lead going into halftime after trailing by 18 earlier in the quarter.