Browsing: Doncic

Luka Doncic was removed from the teamâ€s status report entering Sundayâ€s game at Philadelphia after the Lakers superstar and his fiancee announced the birth of their second child Saturday.

Doncic missed the last two games, but before Fridayâ€s game against Boston, coach JJ Redick was open to the possibility of him rejoining the team in time for Sundayâ€s road trip finale. The Lakers (16-6) went 1-1 to begin the trip with a thrilling, three-point win in Toronto on Thursday before getting blown out in Boston.

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LeBron James, who also missed Fridayâ€s game because of sciatica and joint arthritis in his left foot, is questionable to return Sunday. The 40-year-old has played in only six of the Lakers†22 games.

Guard Marcus Smart will miss a sixth consecutive game because of a left lumbar muscle strain.

Doncic, who shared a photo of his new daughter, Olivia, on social media, leads the NBA with 35.3 points per game. If he returns against the 76ers (13-9), the game will feature three of the leagueâ€s top five scorers.

Philadelphia guard Tyrese Maxey ranks third with 31.6 points per game and Lakers guard Austin Reaves is fifth with 29.3 points. Reaves†career season has helped the Lakers go 4-2 in games without Doncic, as Reaves is averaging 40 points per game without Doncic in the lineup.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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  Dave McMenaminDec 6, 2025, 08:09 AM ET

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  • Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN.
  • Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.

Luka Doncic announced the birth of his second child — a daughter, Olivia — on Instagram on Saturday morning.

Doncic, who missed the Los Angeles Lakers’ last two games for “personal reasons,” had been away from the team and back in his hometown of Ljubljana, Slovenia, to be with his fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, for the delivery, sources told ESPN.

Doncic and Goltes also have a 2-year-old daughter, Gabriela, together.

Lakers coach JJ Redick said Friday before a 126-105 loss to the Boston Celtics that it was possible Doncic will be back with the team as soon as Sunday in Philadelphia for its game against the 76ers.

The Lakers went 1-1 in Doncic’s absence. They have an off day Saturday after a back-to-back on Thursday and Friday in Toronto and Boston.

Doncic, 26, leads the NBA in scoring, averaging a career-best 35.3 points per game. He is also fourth in the league in assists (8.9), 19th in rebounds (8.9) and 11th in steals (1.6) per game.

The Lakers are off to a 16-6 start and are No. 3 in the Western Conference standings.

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Jaxson Hayes grabbed a rebound late in the second quarter and passed the ball to Luka Doncic, who promptly threw a bad pass for a turnover. A few seconds later, Doncic got a rebound and lost the ball for another turnover. Then he threw away another pass. A minute later, he did it again.

Over a roughly two-minute stretch in the second quarter, Doncic turned the ball over four times.

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It was that kind of night for Doncic and the Lakers. Their inability to take care of the basketball doomed them in a 125-108 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena.

The Lakers had 22 turnovers and Doncic had nine.

“Yeah, that was my fault. No way I can have nine turnovers in the game,†said Doncic, who also had 38 points and 11 rebounds. “So in that second quarter… they’re giving the shots, (so) instead of shooting the ball, I feel like I was trying to get (everyone) involved. But there’s no way I should have nine turnovers.â€

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Austin Reaves was nearly as bad, turning it over five times.

“I dribbled the ball literally out of bounds one time,†said Reaves, who had 16 points. “I’ve done it before. I did it tonight and at some point I’ll probably do it again. … I was bad in that aspect, so I gotta be better.â€

LeBron James, who extended his double-figure scoring streak in the regular season to 1,297 games, had three turnovers as the Lakers’ Big Three combined for 17.

Entering the game, the Suns averaged an NBA-high 10.6 steals per game, and the Lakers were aware of that.

“Turnovers, turnovers (and) transition points,†said James about what went wrong for the Lakers. “And obviously on our home floor and against a disruptive defense like that, you canâ€t turn the ball over that much. And they were pretty much all pick-sixes. They not only turned us over, they were able to convert.â€

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Lakers hit the road

Lakers center Jaxson Hayes battles Suns forward Oso Ighodaro for the ball during the Lakers’ loss Monday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Now the Lakers must take their show on the road, playing three games in four nights on the East Coast against opponents all above .500.

They start Thursday night against the 14-7 Toronto Raptors, then face the 11-9 Boston Celtics on Friday before finishing the trip Sunday against the 10-9 Philadelphia 76ers.

“Well, the road trip should always refocus you, no matter how youâ€re playing,†James said. “So, I donâ€t think it took for us to have this game tonight to refocus us.â€

The Raptors have lost two straight, but they are 8-2 in their last 10 games.

“I don’t watch too much NBA, sorry,†said Doncic when asked to share his thoughts on the Raptors. “I know they have a good record. I love the coach [Darko Rajakovic]. … I know he has (them) playing physical, so we’re gonna see.”

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The Lakers will also see if James will play in back-to-back games.

He didnâ€t play against the Pelicans on Sunday night in the first game of a back-to-back.

Since the Lakers listed James out with left foot injury management, he was asked if that was something new for this season after he missed the first 14 games with sciatica.

“Yeah, itâ€s called old,†said James, who turns 41 this month.

Poor defense

Lakers coach coach JJ Redick looks on as the Lakers play the Suns on Monday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Lakers had a defensive plan in place, but it didnâ€t work.

They allowed the Suns to shoot 57% from the field and 44% from three-point range.

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Collin Gillespie, a known three-point shooter, went eight for 14 from three-point range on his way to 28 points. Royce Oâ€Neale made two three-pointers.

“I don’t remember ever talking about going under (screens) versus lasers (three-point shooters), and Gillespie’s making threes and Royce O’Neale was making threes, going under,†Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I don’t know, I don’t know. It’s a weird sort of thing.â€

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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  Dave McMenaminDec 2, 2025, 02:19 AM ET

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  • Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN.
  • Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers’ seven-game win streak ended Monday with a 125-108 loss to the Phoenix Suns, and Luka Doncic said his nine turnovers were to blame.

“That was my fault,” Doncic said. “No way I can have nine turnovers in a game.”

Doncic scored 20 points in the first quarter — the third time in the past four games he scored 20 or more in the opening frame — and L.A. was tied with Phoenix 31-31.

Then, things went downhill.

Doncic committed four turnovers in the second quarter, when Austin Reaves committed four of his five turnovers, as the Suns outscored the Lakers 35-21 to break the game open.

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“I feel like it definitely was a different defense than other teams [play],” Doncic said. “Kind of trying to let me go score instead of creating for others. So, it was kind of confusing, but like I said, just can’t have it.”

Doncic’s nine turnovers tied a career high for the eight-year veteran. And all nine of his turnovers resulted in steals for the Suns — which was the most live-ball turnovers by any player in a game this season, according to ESPN Research.

Lakers coach JJ Redick said Suns center Mark Williams, whom the Lakers traded for last February before rescinding the deal with the Charlotte Hornets, was the key to Phoenix making it difficult on Doncic.

“In terms of the scheme, they never went to any sort of blitz or shock or anything like that,” Redick said. “Mark Williams did a great job of just being big. He’s got the second-highest standing reach in the NBA. So, whether it was post-up, whether it was an off-ball thing, whether it was pick-and-roll, he just was in the middle of the paint the whole time.

“And their guards did a good job of being physical and forcing us down there, and once you’re down there in that tight space, you’re not going to get the ball through, and that led to a lot of turnovers.”

Doncic finished with 38 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Reaves scored 16 points. LeBron James finished with 10 points, 3 assists and 3 turnovers. He hit a 3-pointer with 6:51 remaining in the fourth quarter to extend his NBA record streak to 1,297 straight games scoring double digits.

“Turnovers, transition points,” James said when asked to explain the loss. “And obviously, on our home floor and against a disruptive defense like that, you can’t turn the ball over that much. And they were pretty much all pick-sixes. They not only turned us over, they were able to convert.”

Phoenix, led by Dillon Brooks (33 points) and Collin Gillespie (28 points), outscored L.A. 28-2 in fast-break points.

The Lakers are 15-5 as the season reaches its quarter pole, but the upcoming schedule presents a challenge. L.A.’s next four opponents all have above-.500 records — including three games in four nights in Toronto, Boston and Philadelphia on an East Coast road trip to end the week.

“You got to look at everything, everything,” Redick said when asked what needs to improve to get the Lakers back on track. “Rotations, schemes, all that stuff.”

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As long as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are playing, the Lakers always stand a good chance of winning — even if LeBron James is out.

That proved to be the case yet again Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena as the Lakers rolled over the injury-depleted New Orleans Pelicans 133-121 with James out managing a left foot injury.

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The Lakers (15-4) won their seventh straight game behind Doncicâ€s 34 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists and Reaves†33 points and eight assists.

The Lakers have a game Monday against the visiting Phoenix Suns, but it’s unclear if James will play.

James missed the first 14 games of this season with sciatica and has played in just four games. Left foot injury management also kept him out of some games last season.

“It’s something we’ve had to manage,†Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Given the back-to-back and the fact that he’s basically just coming off his training camp — this has been his training camp over the last 10 days or so — [we’re] just being cautious.”

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With James in his 23rd NBA campaign at age 40, it remains to be seen how many back-to-back games he will play this season. The Lakers have 10 sets left after Monday.

“No, we’re going to build him up, hopefully, to be able to play in back-to-backs,†Redick said. “That’s the goal. But you are correct. Every back-to-back is a case-by-case. That’s just the reality of the NBA right now. But we want him to be able to play in back-to-backs. So does he. So, we’re going to work toward that.â€

The 15-4 Lakers have 63 regular-season games left, meaning that James can miss only two more if he wants to reach the NBA minimum of 65 games that players need to appear in to earn postseason awards. James has made a league-record 21 straight All-NBA teams.

Redick said individual postseason awards have “never come up as something thatâ€s important” in his discussions with James.

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“I want all my guys to get whatever award they deserve,†Redick said. “Of course, I want, you know, Austin, Luka, LeBron, like whoever, I want them to get awards. That’s great for them, but … the list of things that you have to worry about and think about as a player and coach, it’s so far down the list.â€

The Lakers scored 77 points in the first half against New Orleans, tying the most points they have scored in any half this season, and they scored 46 points in the first quarter, the most they have scored in any frame this season.

It figured to be an easy night for the Lakers, who also got 22 points and 12 rebounds from Deandre Ayton, with the Pelicans (3-18) missing starters and key role players, including Zion Williamson, who was managing a left hamstring injury.

Lakers guard Marcus Smart missed his second straight game with back spasms.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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The NBA MVP race is sorting out to a be a three-player race as we enter the seventh week of the season. However, Cade Cunningham’s name continues to pop up in MVP conversations as the Pistons have stayed hot. Giannis Antetokoumpo back from injury, while Victor Wembanyama is out, and Tyrese Maxey is still balling — here is my MVP list.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & team props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!

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Oklahoma City Thunder Primary Logo

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (+170)

Points Per Game: 32.9 (2nd)
Assists Per Game: 6.7 (15th)
Rebounds Per Game: 4.9 RPG (89th)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the league in plus-minus (+238) for November and points (452) off the third-most field goals made (143) and ninth-most attempts (256). The Thunder have won 11 straight games and has an NBA-best 19-1 record, which is why SGA is my No. 1.

SGA scored 37, 40, and 37 points over the past three games and 31 or more in the previous five. Despite not playing a majority of fourth quarters this season and recorded 30 or fewer minutes in 11 of 20 games — I think SGA is the rightful favorite with his career-high 54.5 field goal percentage and 42.3 three-point percentage.

Denver Nuggets Primary Logo

2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets (+140)

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Points Per Game: 28.9 (7th)
Rebounds Per Game: 12.4 (1st)
Assists Per Game: 10.9 (1st)

The Joker’s fabulous November has continued in style. Nikola Jokic has six triple-doubles and seven double-doubles in 14 games to go along with 32.0 points per game. In November alone, Jokic has scored the second-most points behind SGA (452-448), leads the NBA in assists (154), and ranks third in rebounds (164).

Overall, Jokic leads the NBA in rebounds (12.4) and assists (10.9), plus comes in at seventh in points per game (28.9). It’s likely that Jokic averages a 30-point triple-double this season, and with Denver at 14-5 and firmly in the top three of the West — it’s safe to say he will be a top-three finisher for MVP again.

Los Angeles Lakers Primary Logo

3. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers (+320)

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Points Per Game: 35.1 (1st)
Assists Per Game: 9.4 (2nd)
Rebounds Per Game: 8.5 (T-20th)

Luka Doncic and the Lakers are 6-0 in the past six games and he’s on fire! Doncic has averaged 35.5 points, 10.0 assists, and 7.6 rebounds over that span with five double-doubles and five games of 33 or more points. The Lakers’ superstar leads the league in points (35.1) and ranks second in assists (9.4) and even with LeBron James back in the mix — Doncic apparently ins’t slowing down anytime soon.

Detroit Pistons Primary Logo

4. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (+5000)

Points Per Game: 28.8 (9th)
Rebounds Per Game: 6.4 (46th)
Assists Per Game: 9.4 (3rd)

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Cade Cunningham was one of the few players to see his stock improve over the past week. That’s because Detroit keeps winning! The Pistons win streak was snapped at 13 consecutive wins and boast a 14-2 record over the past 16 games.

Even in the two recent losses, Cunningham posted a 39-point triple-double with 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, plus 42 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.

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5. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (+7000)

Points Per Game: 31.7 (3rd)
Rebounds Per Game: 4.7 (T-100th)
Assists Per Game: 7.5 (8th)

Tyrese Maxey has watched his odds drop from +4000 to +7000 after scoring 27, 20, and 22 points over the past three games following his 54-point outburst in OT versus Milwaukee. The 76ers are still above water with a 10-8 record as Maxey ranks top 10 in scoring (31.7) and assists (7.5). Despite the stellar start, staying in the top five for MVP will be difficult.

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Stock Up

Detroit Pistons Primary Logo

Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (+5000)

Points Per Game: 28.8 (9th)
Rebounds Per Game: 6.4 (46th)
Assists Per Game: 9.4 (3rd)

The Pistons franchise player is averaging a career-high across the board in almost every category and with a 16-4 record that leads the East and ranks second in the NBA, Cunningham has to be a top five candidate on everyone’s MVP rankings. Cunningham has scored 30 or more points in seven of the last 11 games, double-doubled in eight, and triple-doubled in two.

Stock Down

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Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (+15000)

Points Per Game: 26.2 (14th)
Rebounds Per Game: 12.9 (2nd)
Blocks Per Game: 3.6 (1st)

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Victor Wembanyama has now missed two weeks of action and six games. San Antonio has gone 5-1 in those six games, so at 13-5, the Spurs are still thriving despite missing their franchise player. Wembanyama is expected to be re-evaluated later this week and return sometime in December.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (+3000)

Points Per Game: 30.9 (4th)
Rebounds Per Game: 10.9 (5th)
Assists Per Game: 6.6 (17th)

Giannis Antetokounmpo shifted from +900 to +1600 to +3000 as he missed 10 days. However, Giannis returned the past two games, a back-to-back versus the Nets and Knicks, splitting the two games and scoring 30 and 29 in each.

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In the loss to the Knicks, Giannis had 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists in his return from injury, but his odds continue to drop, which is a clear sign that the market is starting to correct itself on the 9-12 Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks are 8-7 with Giannis and 1-5 without him.

Follow my plays for the season on X @VmoneySports, Instagram @VmoneySports_ and Action App @vaughndalzell.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & team props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!

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The story still was about Lakers superstar Luka Doncic and Dallas star Anthony Davis, who were part of one of the NBAâ€s most infamous trades. They forever will be linked after the Mavericks shocked the basketball universe last February by shipping generational talent Doncic to the Lakers in a deal for multitalented Davis.

On Friday night, however, Doncic shared the spotlight with Austin Reaves, who continues to be a shining star for the Lakers.

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They combined for 73 points during the Lakers†129-119 win over the Mavericks, and it was Reaves holding down the leading scorer spot over backcourt running mate Doncic.

Reaves was efficient with his work in scoring 38 points, going 12 for 15 from the field and six for eight from three-point range to go with eight rebounds.

Lakers guard Luka Doncic is called of for a blocking foul on Mavericks forward Naji Marshall at Crypto.com Arena on Friday. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

The fans even chanted “M-V-P!” when Reaves shot two free throws midway through the fourth quarter, a sign of how dominant he was.

Doncic also was efficient in dropping 35 points on his old Mavericks teammates, going 10 for 17 from the field, four for nine from three-point range, and making all 11 of his free throws.

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Doncic also had 11 assists and five rebounds to help the Lakers push their winning streak to six.

The Lakers improved to 4-0 in NBA Cup Group B play and clinched home-court advantage in the quarterfinals. They will host the San Antonio Spurs on Dec 10.

Davis, who returned after missing 14 games because of a left calf strain, scored 12 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out five assists in his first game in Los Angeles since the trade.

Deandre Ayton, who missed the Lakers’ game against the Clippers on Tuesday because of a right knee contusion, had 17 points and eight rebounds.

Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick in the draft, had 13 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds.

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Court change

The Lakers didnâ€t use their special NBA Cup court during their group stage game against the Mavericks after the team flagged concerns that it was too slippery.

After the Lakers debuted the special yellow court Tuesday in a win over the Clippers, Doncic said during his postgame news conference that the floor was dangerously slippery. The team reported the problem to the league, and technicians from the court vendor determined the surface was unplayable for the group stage finale, according to a team spokesperson.

The court could be repaired and available in time for the NBA Cup quarterfinals.

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The colorful NBA Cup courts were designed to help set the in-season tournament apart from other regular-season games. The Lakers played their first two NBA Cup games on the road — in Memphis and New Orleans — and Doncic did not remember having a problem with courts in those games, but it became immediately clear during pregame warmups Tuesday that the Lakers†bright yellow NBA Cup court presented issues.

“It just felt weird. Just like oily, slippery,†forward Rui Hachimura said Friday morning. “Everybody was on the floor, literally.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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  Dave McMenaminNov 26, 2025, 02:03 AM ET

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  • Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN.
  • Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.

LOS ANGELES — Maybe the bright, yellow alternative NBA Cup court the Lakers played on for the first time when they hosted the Clippers in Tuesday’s 135-118 win should have come with a warning label.

“It’s just slippery. It’s dangerous,” Lakers star Luka Doncic said after the game. “I slipped. I slipped a lot of times, and you could see a lot of players slipped. And that’s dangerous, man.”

The Lakers improved to 3-0 in NBA Cup play to clinch their group and earn a cash prize of $53,093 per player for securing a spot in the quarterfinals for the in-season tournament that will culminate with a championship game in Las Vegas next month. The league provides each team with an alternative court — many with bold, radiant color schemes — to act as a promotional tool for the event, which was launched during the 2023-24 season in an attempt to infuse life into a sometimes-overlooked portion of the pre-Christmas schedule.

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The Lakers played on alternative courts in Memphis and New Orleans in NBA Cup games before Tuesday, and Doncic said he could not remember those courts having the same problems with sneaker traction.

Doncic said he noticed the slippery court during his pregame warmups and a Lakers assistant coach requested for a court attendant to do an extra sweep of the court before tipoff, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the court from affecting game action.

“Sometimes courts just don’t dry well when there’s condensation on it,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said after the game. Crypto.com Arena is also the home of the Los Angeles Kings, who hosted a game against the Ottawa Senators on Monday. The ice rink was then converted to the NBA Cup court for Tuesday.

The Lakers are aware of Doncic’s concerns and are working to address them before hosting the Dallas Mavericks on the same court Friday. If the Lakers beat the Mavericks on Friday, they will clinch a home game in the NBA Cup quarterfinals to be played the week of Dec. 8.

The court didn’t prove to be too big of an obstacle for the Lakers to handle the Clippers, however.

Doncic scored 24 of his 43 points in the first quarter and added 13 assists and 9 rebounds. Austin Reaves scored 18 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and added 9 rebounds and 3 steals. And LeBron James scored 18 of his 25 points in the second and third quarters — his highest scoring game since returning from his sciatica injury — and added 6 rebounds and 6 assists.

The only other danger besides the court came late in the fourth quarter when Clippers guard Kris Dunn and Doncic exchanged words after Dunn pushed Doncic in the back when the Lakers guard was going for a rebound.

“I was waiting for the rebound when I got a cheap shot in my back, so I’m not going to just stand [for that],” Doncic said. “I ain’t afraid of nobody. I’m not just going to stand there and let it go. The ref was right there. I don’t understand how he couldn’t call a foul on that one, but that’s what the game is about.

“Sometimes it’s going to get physical. There’s a lot of trash-talking. I live for that. So I love it.”

Doncic also loved his teammate Jaxson Hayes coming to his defense by pushing Dunn in the chest. After an official’s review, Dunn was assessed two technical fouls and ejected and Hayes was given a tech.

Doncic told Hayes he would cover the $2,000 penalty that comes with the tech; he can dip into that $53,000 for it after all.

“I got it,” Doncic said of the fine. “I appreciate it. I told him right away, ‘Thanks for having my back.’ And that says a lot about him. That says a lot about this team. Everybody has got each other’s back.”

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LOS ANGELES — After dropping 43 points on the Clippers and both picking up another win and, with this last one, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Emirates NBA Cup, Luka Doncic had just one complaint.

The Lakers’ NBA Cup court.

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“It’s just slippery. It’s dangerous …” Doncic said after the game. “I slipped. I slipped a lot of times, and you could see a lot of players slipped. And that’s dangerous.”

For the NBA Cup, every NBA team has specially designed courts, with brighter colors — the Lakers’ is a muted yellow — and the NBA Cup championship trophy at center court as part of the logo. These are not decals placed on top of a regular court, these are specially designed courts.

The Lakers are set to play on that court again Friday, in their final NBA Cup group-play stage game against Doncic’s former team, the Dallas Mavericks (the outcome of that game does not impact the Lakers winning West Group B, but it could impact seeding for the knockout round). It’s also possible the Lakers could host a quarterfinal NBA Cup game on that same court on Dec. 8 or 9.

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“I noticed that guys were slipping, but I also noticed that guys were falling prior to that. So I don’t know,” Lakers coach J.J. Redick said postgame, adding the team would look into it.”Sometimes courts just don’t dry well, when there’s condensation on it.”

The Lakers share Crypto.com Arena with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, who hosted Ottawa the night before. It is not uncommon for NBA courts in buildings that host both hockey and basketball teams to experience condensation issues.

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Luka Doncic drilled a three-pointer right in front of the Clippers†bench late in the first quarter and then glared at them, shaking his head as he ran back down court to play defense for the Lakers, just one of the many piercing stares he sent their way after delivering one of his three-point bombs.

It seems as if Doncic has his own personal rivalry against the Clippers and it just simply folded into the inter-city rivalry.

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And once again, Doncic overwhelmed the Clippers in directing the Lakers to a 135-118 win Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.

He came up one rebound shy of a triple-double, dropping 43 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds. He was 14 for 28 from the field, seven for 12 from three-point range and eight for 11 from the free-throw line.

In leading the Lakers to their fifth straight win, Doncic now has recorded 39 double-double games of at least 40 points, which moved him past Anthony Davis for the fourth most among active players and tying Magic Johnson for the sixth most 40-point double-doubles as a Laker.

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Doncic also tied Kobe Bryant and Shaquille Oâ€Neal for the most 40-point double-doubles as a Laker before the age of 27 since the NBA/ABA merger (five).

Late in the fourth quarter, the game turned physical, and Doncic was in the middle of it.

Kris Dunn pushed Doncic in the back, and Doncic confronted Dunn, who then put the basketball in Doncicâ€s chest. Jaxson Hayes then stepped in and pushed Dunn.

In the end, Dunn was assessed two technical fouls and ejected from the game and Hayes was assessed a technical foul. Doncic shot a technical foul free throw with 3:33 left in the game.

Kawhi Leonard of the Clippers was called for a foul after knocking down Austin Reaves on this play. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Doncic scored 24 points against the Clippers in the first quarter alone, making his first five three-pointers before finishing the quarter five for eight from three, nine for 14 from the field, many of the baskets punctuated by a stare down at the Clippers†bench.

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By the half, Doncic had posted 32 points on 11-for-17 shooting and six for 10 on three-pointers and six assists.

The Clippers had a game plan for slowing down Doncic.

“Keep him off the free-throw line,†Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said pregame. “Heâ€s already tough enough to guard..I think heâ€s averaging 13 free throws a game. You canâ€t allow him to get those. So, just staying down…Just make him make field goals and not free throws. Thatâ€s got to be our mindset.â€

Over the course of his career with the Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic, who is averaging 12.5 free-throw attempts per game, has torn the Clippers apart.

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Entering Tuesday nightâ€s game, he had averaged 32.2 points per game over 20 games, his highest against any Western Conference foe. He had produced 7.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists and shot 48% from the field, 36% from the three-point line.

With Deandre Ayton (right knee contusion) out and Hayes starting in his place, Austin Reaves (31 points) and LeBron James (25), did their part to help the Lakers clinch Group B of the NBA cup with a 3-0 record.

The Lakers finish group play against the Dallas Mavericks here Friday night and the Clippers complete their group play against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Intuit Dome.

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Etc.

Lakers coach JJ Redick said that Ayton got an MRI exam on his knee that “was clean other than just some swelling, a little bit of a bruise.†Ayton was injured in the first half against the Jazz Sunday. “Donâ€t think itâ€s going to be a long-term thing,†Redick said. “Hopefully itâ€s a game-to-game thing and heâ€s back at some point by the end of the week. The Lakers announced that they signed forward Drew Timme to a two-way contract and waived two-way center Christian Koloko. Timme has played for the Lakers†G League team, the South Bay Lakers, and posted averages of 25.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 25.5 minutes over six games. The 6-foot-10 Timme played his college basketball at Gonzaga.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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