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Doncic scores 52 as Lakers erase 18-point deficit to beat Jazz 132-123

Los Angeles recovered from a 47-29 first-quarter hole as Luka Doncic finished with 52 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in a late 14-5 run.

Original editorial illustration of an unbranded basketball tracing a comeback arc toward a hoop.
Original editorial illustration: the rising ball path represents the Lakers’ recovery from an 18-point deficit without depicting a real player or arena. Watch at Ease

Luka Doncic scored 52 points as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied from 18 down to beat the Utah Jazz 132-123 in Salt Lake City on October 25. The Lakers improved to 3-0.

The comeback was complete when Los Angeles used a 14-5 late run. Doncic hit two 3-pointers in 40 seconds, and the second put the Lakers ahead 127-121 with 1:42 remaining.

Utah built the early gap

The Jazz shot 61.3% in the first quarter while Los Angeles managed 34.8%, producing a 47-29 lead. Lauri Markkanen finished with 28 points, and Keyonte George had 24 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.

Los Angeles changed the game before halftime

Reaves scored 15 in the second quarter. Doncic closed the half with a step-back 3, trimming Utah’s lead to 74-71 and turning an 18-point deficit into a one-possession game.

Doncic supplied scoring and creation

The official NBA box score and Reuters list Doncic with 52 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. He made eight of 18 3-pointers and 17 of 30 shots overall; this article uses the official eight-rebound total where the AP report listed seven.

The late run settled it

Los Angeles led 103-100 after three quarters, then broke a late tie with a 14-5 run. Doncic’s two quick 3-pointers created the six-point margin that Utah could not erase.

What the numbers explain

The Lakers’ 20 made 3-pointers offset Utah’s 52-31 rebounding advantage. One October result is not a season forecast, but the second-quarter recovery and late shot-making explain this nine-point win.

Original editorial illustration of four rising score-flow bars and a comeback line.
Original editorial illustration: the abstract progression follows the game moving from a large early deficit to a late Lakers lead. Watch at Ease