Luka Doncic scores 52, reaches two NBA milestones: “Character and heart”
Luka Doncic is already in MVP mode. He drops 52 against the Jazz, reaches two NBA milestones and leads the Lakers to their third straight win
Down 18 in the second quarter, the Los Angeles Lakers appeared headed for a difficult night on the road against the Utah Jazz. Then Luka Doncic decided to turn the game around completely, carrying the purple and gold to a 132-123 victory with a performance to remember.
The Slovenian star finished with 52 points, 10 assists and 8 made 3-pointers, recording the first 50-point game of the 2026/27 NBA season. It was a night that also brought several milestones, but Doncic wanted to share the credit with the rest of the team.
Doncic puts up historic NBA numbers
Just when Utah appeared to have control of the game, Doncic began taking over. A step-back three with 4.1 seconds left before halftime gave the Lakers their first lead at 74-71, completing a comeback that had seemed unlikely just minutes earlier.
In the fourth quarter, with the game still hanging in the balance, the Slovenian star hit back-to-back threes to cap a 14-5 run and put Los Angeles ahead 127-121 with 1:42 remaining.
It was Doncic’s fourth career game with at least 50 points and 10 assists, moving him past Nikola Jokic, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard and Nate Archibald.
Only James Harden, with eight such performances, has more in NBA history.
There’s more. Doncic also became the second player ever to record at least 50 points and 10 assists for two different franchises, the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers. Previously, only Wilt Chamberlain had accomplished that feat, with the Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers.
Doncic: “It wasn’t about me. We showed character”
Despite his impressive numbers, Doncic chose to highlight the Lakers’ collective response after the game.
I wouldn’t say it was because of me. I think it was the whole group. We showed a lot of character and a lot of heart. On the road, when you’re down almost 20, you can let it get away from you. Instead, we stayed in the game, kept communicating and found a way to respond
Luka Doncic
The Slovenian star then stressed that the team needs to avoid putting itself in that position again.
We played the basketball we know how to play. We learned our lesson: we can’t start games like this anymore
Luka Doncic
For Doncic, the comeback primarily demonstrated the potential of a group capable of sticking together even through its toughest stretches.
Reaves delivers, Kessler returns to Utah
Alongside Doncic’s 52 points, the Lakers got another strong performance from Austin Reaves, who scored 29 points. The pair combined to shoot an excellent 21-for-24 from the free throw line, making a crucial contribution to the comeback.
His efficiency is incredible. Having him alongside me leading this team is amazing. If he keeps this up, he’s going to be really important for us
Luka Doncic
It was also a special night for Walker Kessler, who returned to Salt Lake City as an opponent for the first time since his offseason move to the Lakers.
The center finished with just 2 points and 7 rebounds, but Doncic offered encouragement after a performance that fell short of his first two outings of the season.
It wasn’t his best game, but we won. He played really well in the first two. We told him to keep going, that we’re with him and that it’s on to the next one
Luka Doncic
And with Doncic already topping 50 points just three games into the season, there are plenty of reasons to smile in Los Angeles.