Lakers Cruise Past Pacers as Luka Doncic Explodes for 44 in Three Quarters
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LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic erupted for 44 points in just three quarters on Friday night, powering the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers to a 128-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers, playing the second game of a back-to-back and missing LeBron James, Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber, improved to 38-25. Indiana, already in full rebuild mode after Tyrese Haliburton’s season-ending Achilles injury during last year’s NBA Finals, never led after the opening minutes.
Doncic set the tone immediately with 22 points in the first quarter. The All-Star guard finished 14-for-25 from the field, adding nine rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks before sitting out the entire fourth period.
According to team officials, Friday marked the fifth time this season Doncic has scored at least 20 points in the opening quarter, the highest single-season total by any player since play-by-play tracking began in 1996-97. He is also the only player this season with multiple halves featuring at least 29 points, six made three-pointers, six rebounds and three assists; he has done it four times over the past 30 seasons.
Austin Reaves supported Doncic with 19 points, five assists and two rebounds, though the guard fouled out for just the second time in his career. Reserve guard Luke Kennard supplied 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists on 6-of-9 shooting, while Rui Hachimura scored 13 and Marcus Smart added 11 on his 32nd birthday.
The Pacers never recovered after falling behind 66-53 at halftime. By the end of the third quarter, Los Angeles held a 109-86 advantage, allowing head coach Darvin Ham to rest his starters down the stretch.
Up Next
The Lakers continue their homestand Sunday afternoon against the New York Knicks before hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
Source: LakersNation.com
