NBA: Doncic makes more history with 40-point triple-double in Lakers win over Jazz
The 'Magic' man was in fine form as usual alongside LeBron James and Co
Luka Doncic played one of the most statistically remarkable games of his career in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 143-135 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday, yet the Slovenian star was far from satisfied with his own performance.
Doncic finished with 45 points, 14 assists, 11 rebounds, five steals and just one turnover, a combination achieved by only one other player in NBA history.
Even so, his post-match focus was firmly on what he felt could still be improved.
“I think, honestly, I could do so much more,” Doncic said. “But I think that one turnover is the best stat-wise on this stat sheet. We had seven turnovers, which is impressive for us and we won the game.”
Only Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham has previously recorded a 45-point triple-double with five steals since the NBA began officially tracking steals in the 1973-74 season, a feat he achieved in an overtime win against Washington last month.
The performance marked Doncic’s 10th career 40-point triple-double, placing him alongside James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson as the only players to reach that milestone 10 times or more.
He also became the first Laker to register a 40-point triple-double since Magic Johnson did so in March 1981, also against Utah.
Crucially for Los Angeles, the display came alongside a season-best effort in ball security. The Lakers committed a season-low seven turnovers, limiting Utah to just nine fast-break points and helping to offset ongoing defensive issues.
Head coach JJ Redick echoed Doncic’s self-assessment, pointing to areas of inconsistency despite the standout numbers.
“[He had] stretches of playing excellent, being engaged and executing our stuff defensively, and then stretches where he is not as engaged and isn’t executing our stuff defensively,” Redick said.
“But I would say that’s for everybody. I think the biggest thing, he played certainly well enough to lead us to a win. Him and LeBron [James], with 24 assists and three turnovers [combined].”
James added 28 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, and was able to continue after a concerning collision in the first half with Utah rookie Walter Clayton Jr. The impact to James’ left knee briefly left the 23-year veteran on the floor, raising fears given his previous MCL injury to the same knee during last season’s playoffs.
“Just a little bolt to the knee, like a sharp pain to the knee,” James said. “Got kneed on the inside, like the medial side, of the knee. And just kind of wanted to take my time a little bit as it calmed down, or hoping it calmed down.
“I told Mike [Mancias], my trainer, I said, ‘We dodged a bullet there.'”
The victory proved important in the standings, particularly with Houston and Detroit both losing elsewhere.
The Lakers improved to 10-0 in clutch-time games this season and moved to 19-7 overall, their third-best record through 26 games across James’ eight seasons with the franchise.
Perhaps that context explained why James was more complimentary of Doncic than Doncic was of himself, especially with the Lakers missing starters Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton through injury.
“It’s Luka,” James said. “‘Luka Magic,’ so there’s no surprise. He’s just so damn good. It’s ridiculous.”