Luka Dončić Scores 53 and Hits Buzzer-Beater to Beat Trail Blazers

Dončić shot 17-of-33 from the field, hitting five three-pointers and 14-of-18 free throws, while adding five rebounds and five assists. The performance marked his second 50-point game of the season and the 11th of his career as the Lakers overcame a 16-point second-quarter deficit to improve to an 8-2 record.

How did Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves spark the Lakers’ second-half comeback?

Portland controlled the opening two periods with accurate shooting and active defense, building a lead before the Lakers erased the deficit during a 34-15 third quarter. Dončić scored 19 points in the third period alone to swing the momentum.

Austin Reaves contributed 25 points, three rebounds, two assists, and four steals for Los Angeles. Reaves struggled early by missing his first seven three-point attempts, but scored 15 points in the fourth quarter on 4-of-7 shooting, sealing the win with a late steal and dunk.

Center Walker Kessler added 16 points and 12 rebounds on 7-of-10 shooting, grabbing four offensive boards while anchoring an interior defense that outscored Portland 52-32 in the paint.

What did Damian Lillard and Deni Avdija accomplish for Portland?

Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers alongside Deni Avdija, as both players scored 22 points. Lillard shot 4-of-10 from beyond the arc, outscoring Dončić 12-10 in the second quarter.

Avdija posted a double-double with 22 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, while Donovan Clingan added 17 points and 11 rebounds. Portland shot 51.4% from the field and 44.2% from three-point range, but 24 turnovers resulted in 28 points for Los Angeles.

What historic scoring pace is Luka Dončić maintaining?

Dončić is averaging 40.1 points per game through his first nine appearances of the season, placing him on a historic trajectory. He joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to average at least 40 points through their first nine games of a season according to ESPN Research.

Luka can do some things that maybe a handful, if not no one, can do in basketball.

JJ Redick, Lakers coach

Dončić has scored at least 40 points in four consecutive games, becoming the first Lakers player to reach that threshold since Kobe Bryant in January 2012. Bryant’s 35.4 points were previously noted as the most by a Lakers player since the NBA/ABA merger in 1976. The Slovenian superstar is taking full advantage of his new role as the undisputed face of the Lakers following LeBron James’ offseason departure to the Philadelphia 76ers. Asked about joining Chamberlain in averaging at least 40 points, Dončić noted that it is a long season with many games left ahead. Blazers coach Micah Nori praised the guard during his pregame comments, stating that he is the MVP right now. Teammate Ziaire Williams echoed that sentiment, calling Dončić the MVP. Even with this dominance, Lakers coach JJ Redick and other observers recognize the team will eventually need additional consistent production from their wider roster. Other contributors on Friday included Quentin Grimes, Ziaire Williams, and reserves who help give the team depth. Meanwhile, Portland enters this stretch missing the sort of superstar depth possessed by top-tier opponents, relying heavily on Deni Avdija as their best player. Facing elite players like Dončić in a demanding stretch tests the Trail Blazers’ star power and defender matchups.

When do the Lakers and Trail Blazers play next?

The Lakers rest on Saturday before opening a four-game road trip on Sunday against the Detroit Pistons. Portland returns home to the Moda Center on Saturday to host the San Antonio Spurs on the second night of a back-to-back.

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