The Los Angeles Lakers kept their early-season momentum rolling on Sunday night, improving to 5-2 with a fast-paced 130-120 victory over the Miami Heat. Luka Doncic set the tone with another commanding triple-double, 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Austin Reaves delivered one of his sharpest offensive outings of the year, pouring in 26 points and consistently creating for teammates.
Los Angeles came out firing with an 8-0 burst, controlled the game from the opening tip, and never trailed despite missing LeBron James and DeAndre Ayton once again. Miami hung around behind a breakout 31-point performance from Jaime Jaquez Jr., but the Lakers’ depth proved decisive.
Jake LaRavia’s 25 points off the bench, along with Jaxson Hayes’ perfect shooting night and season-high 15 points, gave L.A. a needed spark whenever Miami threatened. The trio of Doncic, Reaves, and LaRavia energized the building, and we have an instant analysis of a very positive result for the Purple and Gold.
1. Doncic Controls The Night As Lakers Never Trail
Luka Doncic once again proved why he’s one of the league’s best all-around superstars, steering the Lakers to a wire-to-wire win with a 29-point triple-double. Despite a cold night from three (1-of-11), his control of pace, command in the pick-and-roll, and ability to read weak-side rotations kept Miami on its heels.
His 10 assists came in all forms, kickouts to shooters, cross-court lasers, and pocket passes that sliced the Heat’s interior coverage apart. Even with five turnovers, his usage and production outweighed the miscues. More importantly for Los Angeles, Doncic’s presence prevented Miami from ever gaining momentum.
The Heat didn’t lead at any point, and every mini-run was silenced by Doncic’s ability to settle the offense and generate a clean look. His partnership with Austin Reaves continues to be a foundational pillar of the Lakers’ early-season identity, and on a night when LeBron James and DeAndre Ayton were unavailable, Doncic’s full workload ensured Los Angeles never lost control.
2. Bench Mob Delivers: LaRavia And Hayes Shift Momentum
The Lakers’ bench outplayed Miami’s reserves in the moments that mattered, led by a breakout performance from Jake LaRavia. His 25 points on an ultra-efficient 10-of-13 shooting added a layer of scoring that the Heat couldn’t mirror.
Whether spacing the floor, finishing on cuts, or hammering home highlight dunks, LaRavia created momentum swings that extended L.A.’s lead multiple times. His three steals also underscored a strong defensive presence that fueled transition opportunities.
Jaxson Hayes matched that energy with his best performance of the season, 15 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting night. His rim-running, interior finishing, and unexpected made three-pointer gave the Lakers a vertical threat that punished Miami whenever they switched or overhelped. Together, LaRavia and Hayes provided the athletic punch the Lakers needed to counter Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s big night and keep the Lakers ahead whenever Miami threatened to trim the deficit.
3. Reaves’ Playmaking Continues To Shine
Austin Reaves is in All-Star form, and Sunday night was another example of his growth. His 26 points were critical, especially with Los Angeles cooling off from deep, but it was his passing that stood out most. Reaves’ 11 assists showcased an improved ability to manipulate defenses, draw multiple bodies, and facilitate in transition.
His timing with LaRavia, Hayes, and even Bronny James was particularly sharp. The highlight moment, a perfectly placed alley-oop to Bronny that had LeBron James off the bench, captured Reaves’ confidence and chemistry with the roster.
He also knocked down four threes, giving the Lakers perimeter stability on a night Doncic struggled from deep. Reaves looked fully comfortable running secondary actions, and alongside his low turnovers relative to usage, he continues to emerge as a stabilizing playmaker in crunch moments.
4. Heat Fight Behind Jaquez, But Defensive Issues Persist
Jaime Jaquez Jr. delivered one of the best performances of his young career with 31 points, attacking mismatches and generating offense at all three levels. His strength on drives and polished footwork repeatedly gave the Heat life whenever they fell behind by double digits.
Bam Adebayo’s efficient 17 points and Pelle Larsson’s 17-point contribution rounded out Miami’s scoring, but the starters struggled to contain L.A.’s penetration and ball movement. The defensive shortcomings were ultimately too much to overcome.
Miami allowed 33 assists, surrendered 60 points in the paint, and struggled to track shooters in rotation. The team committed 15 turnovers that led directly to 16 Lakers points, preventing them from ever stringing together a full comeback. Even with decent shooting efficiency overall (51.2%), the Heat’s inability to generate stops or string together stops made the game feel uphill from the 8-0 opening burst.
