The Los Angeles Lakers left Salt Lake City with a 108-106 win that should have been easier. They almost gave up a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter but managed to hold on in the final seconds. Luka Doncic led the offense with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in 40 minutes.
LeBron James, playing his first road game of the season, contributed 17 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. With this victory, the Lakers improved to 12-4 and extended their winning streak to four games. For much of the game, Los Angeles relied on Doncic’s ability to create shots from beyond the arc.
However, their late-game execution slipped just enough to give Utah a chance. The Lakers seemed ready to finish off the Jazz after a 13-0 run that made the score 98-85 with a little over six minutes left, including Doncic’s catch-and-shoot three-pointer.
However, defensive lapses and Lauri Markkanen’s scoring surge in the fourth quarter brought the game closer in the final moments. Still, Los Angeles produced enough offense, especially with Austin Reaves scoring 22 points and Rui Hachimura adding 13 efficiently, to handle the drama of the last possession. After a stressful game for Lakers fans, let’s dive into the four major takeaways.
Luka Doncic Is the Lakers’ Best Player
Doncic’s 33-point game showed once more that the Lakers go as far as he takes them. He shot 10-for-24 from the field, made three three-pointers, and forced his way to the free-throw line 12 times, converting 10. Besides scoring, his eight assists matched LeBron’s for the team high, and the Lakers outscored Utah by five during his 40 minutes on the court.
In a game where Los Angeles hit just 26% from beyond the arc, Doncic’s ability to create efficient offense made the difference between winning and losing. Even as the Lakers’ offense stalled, he set up the play that gave them a two-point lead in the final seconds, making one of two free throws to push the score to 108–106.
His six turnovers weren’t great, but his overall numbers (33 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and three steals) reflected the impact of someone who controls the offense. Without a doubt, Luka’s skills in creating shots, rebounding, and controlling the game have lifted the Lakers to a 12-4 record.
LeBron’s First Road Game Shows He Is Still A Superstar
LeBron’s 17 points on 8-of-18 shooting don’t stand out, but he was involved in many winning plays: eight assists, six rebounds, and several important plays that stopped Utah from setting up its half-court defense. The Lakers scored 26 fast-break points, eight more than Utah, and James sparked that.
Even without his jumper working (0-for-4 from three), he drove down the lane and forced Utah to collapse, creating space for Reaves and Doncic. What’s impressive is how quickly LeBron has bounced back after missing all of training camp and the first 14 games due to sciatica.
In his two games this season, he has a total of 20 assists and only four turnovers, showing great decision-making. His +/- (-14) reflects the shaky stretches with the bench, not his personal performance. The Lakers now depend on him for managing the flow of the game more than for scoring 30 points.
Austin Reaves Is In All-Star Form
Reaves had another strong performance, contributing 22 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists while shooting 7-for-17 from the field. He made eight free-throw attempts, matching Doncic’s effort at the rim, and led the team with one block while committing only two fouls in 40 minutes.
His rebounding was crucial, especially since the Lakers and Jazz tied in rebounds at 45 each. Reaves grabbed nine defensive rebounds, cutting off Utah’s second-chance opportunities. His offensive calm allowed the Lakers to withstand Utah’s biggest run.
During the Jazz’s 16-2 surge that shifted the score to 74-69 in the third quarter, Reaves made key baskets to steady the team and later helped ignite the 13-0 response that regained control. On a night when L.A.’s bench scored only 25 points, Reaves’ consistency was crucial to help Luka and LeBron.
Lakers Need To Close Games Better
For three quarters, the Lakers’ defense performed well: they held Utah to 43% shooting, forced 14 turnovers, and limited the Jazz to just 18 fast-break points. Jarred Vanderbilt and Marcus Smart, despite limited scoring, were disruptive, combining for two steals and making several key late switches that kept Utah off balance.
Los Angeles also had four blocks and scored 10 points off turnovers, giving them extra possessions during stretches where their offense struggled. However, the closing stretch revealed some issues. The Lakers allowed Lauri Markkanen to score 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, including a three-pointer that capped Utah’s 17-5 run.
Their defensive rebounding also faltered, as Utah grabbed 10 offensive boards, several in key moments. Meanwhile, the Jazz shot 13-for-40 from three-point range, with too many of those attempts coming from open looks due to slow reactions on drive-and-kick plays. The Lakers held on to win, but the final minutes showed how thin their defense can be.
