Dončić leads the comeback in Salt Lake City
Luka Dončić scored 52 points and made eight three-pointers as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 132–123 at Delta Center on Sunday, October 25, US time, keeping their unbeaten start intact. The result was completed on Monday, October 26, in the Philippines.
Los Angeles improved to 3–0 after surviving a first quarter in which Utah scored 47 points. The Jazz led 47–29 after 12 minutes, but that advantage disappeared when the Lakers answered with a 45-point second period and reached halftime ahead 74–71.
Dončić supplied 10 assists alongside his scoring, while Austin Reaves contributed 29 points. Their combined 81 points accounted for more than three-fifths of the Lakers' total. Los Angeles therefore had a second reliable scoring outlet even as Utah devoted attention to slowing Dončić.
The game remained competitive after the early swing. Utah and Los Angeles each scored 29 points in the third quarter, leaving the Lakers with a 103–100 advantage entering the fourth. Dončić's perimeter shooting helped turn a close finish into a nine-point victory, with Reaves adding a late three-pointer.
Lauri Markkanen led Utah with 28 points, and Keyonte George contributed 24 points and 10 assists. Ace Bailey scored 17. Those contributions gave the Jazz enough offense to threaten the visitors, but they could not preserve the separation created in the opening quarter.
The clearest contrast came between the first two periods. Utah won the opening quarter by 18; Los Angeles won the second by 21. The Lakers' ability to recover before halftime meant they entered the closing stages with the lead rather than continuing to chase the game.
For Los Angeles, the result extended a perfect opening run to three games. For Utah, it was a 1–2 start and a missed opportunity to convert an outstanding first quarter into a home victory.