Doncic scores 40 as Lakers beat Kings 116-103

Luka Doncic scored 40 points and made 12 of 13 free throws to lead the Los Angeles Lakers past the Sacramento Kings 116-103 on Wednesday, November 4.

Doncic shot 11 of 23, hit 6 of 13 from 3-point range and had nine rebounds and seven assists. He also turned the ball over six times, but the Lakers stayed ahead after the first quarter.

Sacramento (1-7) started faster at home and led 13-5 early in the first quarter, its largest lead of the night. The period ended tied at 28, and the Lakers (7-2) took the second quarter 33-26.

A 10-0 run midway through the third quarter put Los Angeles up 83-69, and the Lakers won the period 26-20.

Austin Reaves scored 21 points, made all six of his free throws and did not commit a turnover. Walker Kessler made six of eight shots for 15 points, with four blocks and three steals.

Darius Acuff Jr. led the Kings with 22 points and 12 assists but made only eight of 24 shots. Zach LaVine scored 21 and had six turnovers. Domantas Sabonis finished with 16 points and 17 rebounds, and Sacramento grabbed 15 offensive rebounds to the Lakers' 10.

The game turned at the foul line and on ball security. Los Angeles made 34 of 38 free throws to Sacramento's 21 of 28, and the Kings committed 17 turnovers while the Lakers blocked 13 shots.

Los Angeles led 101-88 with five minutes left, and each side scored 15 points the rest of the way. Quentin Grimes made two free throws and a running layup off a Lawson Lovering pass with 50.6 seconds left for a 116-98 lead, the Lakers' largest. Malik Monk answered with a 29-foot 3-pointer, and Sabonis scored on a layup with 16.7 seconds left for the final margin.

Up next

Lakers: home against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, November 6.

Kings: home against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, November 6.