The Los Angeles Lakers rebounded from a significant collapse against the Warriors with a 131-125 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena, improving their season record to 5-2.
Luka Doncic delivered another standout performance, scoring 45 points on 12-of-23 shooting, including 8-of-12 from three-point range. He also contributed 15 rebounds, six assists, and five steals in 35 minutes. This marked Doncic's second game this season with at least 40 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals, a feat no other Lakers player has achieved.
Doncic has now scored at least 37 points in four consecutive games, continuing his lead as the league's top scorer. His offensive output was complemented by 19 points and four assists from Austin Reaves, 14 points from Collin Sexton off the bench, and a 16-point, 15-rebound double-double with three blocks from Walker Kessler.
The Lakers controlled much of the game, building a lead that stretched to 26 points early in the third quarter. However, similar to their previous game against the Warriors, they allowed the Raptors to narrow the deficit. Toronto went on an 11-2 run in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 125-120 before Coach JJ Redick reinserted Doncic and other key players with less than a minute remaining to secure the win.
Earlier in the week, the Lakers lost to the Golden State Warriors after squandering a 25-point lead in a 17-point defeat.