The Lakers keep finding ways to light up the scoreboard, and this time the Toronto Raptors were the ones stuck in the blast radius. Los Angeles put up 131 points in a 131-125 win, with Luka Doncic once again driving the whole operation.
Doncic was everywhere. He finished with 45 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, five steals and one block in 35 minutes, hitting 12 of 23 shots, 8 of 12 from deep and all 13 of his free throws. The seven turnovers were the only real drag on a night where he looked flat-out unstoppable.
The Lakers backed up that star turn with a huge night from the rest of the rotation. Austin Reaves scored 19 points and added four assists in 39 minutes, while Collin Sexton gave Los Angeles a spark off the bench with 14 points in only 19 minutes. Walker Kessler was perfect from the floor, going 6-for-6 for 16 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks.
Los Angeles shot 54% overall and 49% from three, and that perimeter accuracy was a major part of why Toronto couldn’t slow them down. The Lakers also piled up seven blocks and turned 24 turnovers into 30 points, even while giving the ball away 24 times themselves. At one point, they had stretched the margin to 26.
Here’s how the Lakers graded out in the win:
Luka Doncic: A+
Doncic’s stat line says plenty, but it still undersells how much he controlled the game. The scoring came in waves, the rebounding was elite, and the five steals made him a problem on both ends. The turnovers are the one blemish, but they barely dented an otherwise massive night.
Walker Kessler: A
Kessler gave the Lakers exactly what they needed inside. He was flawless from the field, cleaned up the glass and protected the rim with three blocks. That kind of efficiency makes life easier for everyone else.
Collin Sexton: A-
Sexton brought instant offense off the bench and did it without wasting possessions. He scored efficiently, added three assists and kept the pressure on Toronto in his 19 minutes.
Austin Reaves: A-
Reaves wasn’t as sharp shooting the ball as the Lakers would like, but he still gave them 19 points and four assists while staying in the mix for nearly the entire game. The three turnovers kept this from being a cleaner line.
Matisse Thybulle: B+
Thybulle’s value showed up on defense, where he picked up two steals and two blocks. He also knocked down a pair of threes, giving Los Angeles some useful spacing.
Jake LaRavia: B+
LaRavia chipped in across the board with eight points, four assists, a steal and a block. He also hit two threes, which helped keep the floor open.
Sandro Mamukelashvili: B+
Mamukelashvili made his minutes count, scoring 11 points and hitting two triples. He stayed efficient and avoided turnovers.
Quentin Grimes: B
Grimes had some useful moments as a scorer and passer, but four turnovers weighed heavily on his night. The efficiency was fine; the ball security wasn’t.
Jarred Vanderbilt: C+
Vanderbilt was efficient with his chances, making both of his shots and grabbing three rebounds. Still, three fouls in 12 minutes limited what he could do.
Bronny James: N/A
Jaden Hardy: N/A
Hardy picked up one point at the line in limited action.
Cameron Carr: N/A
Carr saw just one minute, so there wasn’t much to evaluate.
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What stood out beyond the final score was the way the Lakers controlled the game in multiple areas, from ball movement to perimeter shooting to work inside. It was the kind of complete showing that can make them a tough matchup on any night, and it also hinted at just how much more dangerous this team can become if this version shows up consistently. [Read more 🡒]
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Doncic has made that case harder to ignore with the way he has started games and piled up points this season, averaging 38.3 a night and topping 40 in four of his last five. For a Lakers team still searching for a consistent identity, that kind of pressure can change the tone early and wear down an opponent before a defensive battle even really develops. [Read more 🡒]