Dončić Scores 45 as Lakers Beat Raptors 131–125

Dončić Scores 45 as Lakers Beat Raptors 131⁠–⁠125

Luka Dončić adds a season-high 15 rebounds and five steals, and the Lakers hold off a late Toronto surge.

In one minute

Luka Dončić had 45 points, a season-high 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors 131–125.

Dončić shot 12 of 23, made 8 of 12 three-pointers and all 13 of his free throws. He has scored at least 37 points in four straight games, and he drew three charges.

Los Angeles led 102–76 late in the third quarter. After the Lakers pulled their starters with 1:43 left, Toronto's reserves scored 11 points in 40 seconds to cut a 16-point deficit to 125–120, and Dončić, Reaves and Kessler returned to close it out. Toronto scored 43 points in the fourth quarter.

Austin Reaves scored 19, and Walker Kessler had 16 points and 15 rebounds. Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 29 points, and RJ Barrett added 22. Kawhi Leonard missed his fourth straight game with a knee injury.

Luka Dončić had 45 points, a season-high 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors 131⁠–⁠125.

Dončić shot 12 of 23, made 8 of 12 three-pointers and all 13 of his free throws. He has scored at least 37 points in four straight games. He also drew three charges.

"Obviously, I'm not the best defender in the NBA, but I think this year, I really took a step forward," he said.

Austin Reaves scored 19, and Walker Kessler had 16 points and 15 rebounds.

Los Angeles led 102⁠–⁠76 late in the third quarter. After the Lakers pulled their starters with 1:43 left, Toronto's reserves scored 11 points in 40 seconds to cut a 16-point deficit to 125⁠–⁠120, and Dončić, Reaves and Kessler returned to close it out. Toronto scored 43 points in the fourth quarter.

Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 29 points, and RJ Barrett added 22. Kawhi Leonard missed his fourth straight game with a knee injury.

The Lakers had lost by 17 at Golden State two nights earlier after leading by 25.

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