Jazz take Lakers to the wire, Doncic’s 52 seals Utah’s fate
The Utah Jazz stormed out of the gates and stayed in the game until the final minutes, but ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
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The Utah Jazz stormed out of the gates and stayed in the game until the final minutes, but ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
It's early in the season, but Austin Reaves is already justifying the Los Angeles Lakers betting $45 million per season on him.
The Utah Jazz fell to the 2-0 Los Angeles Lakers 132-123 on Oct. 25, 2026 at the Delta Center after a dominant 47-29 first‑quarter lead. Rookie Ace Bailey sparked the early surge with 15 points in eight minutes, while Keyonte George finished with 24 points, nine rebounds and ten assists. The Lakers rallied in the second half, led by Luka Dončić’s 52 points, ten assists and eight rebounds, and timely shots from Austin Reaves, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams. Former Jazzbig man Walker Kessler struggled in foul trouble, and the Jazz couldn’t sustain their early advantage, ultimately losing despite strong play from Darryn Peterson and Lauri Markkanen.
Luka Doncic erupts for 52 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Utah Jazz 132‑123 on Oct. 25, extending their perfect 3‑0 start. Doncic’s 56.6% shooting night includes 8 of 18 three‑pointers and 10 of 11 free throws, tying Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar with his 10th career 50‑point game. The star, now averaging 25.5 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists, leads the Lakers back home to face Portland on Tuesday.
Luka Doncic ignites the Lakers with a 52-point, 8‑reb, 10‑assist night in a 132‑123 win over Utah, tying Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar for ten 50‑point games in a career. The performance marks the season’s first 50‑plus outing and puts Doncic just behind Allen Iverson’s record. Austin Reaves adds 29 points, while former Jazz big man Walker Kessler returns despite injury. Utah’s Lauri Markkanen scores 28, but Los Angeles moves to 3‑0 under coach JJ Redick, positioning the team for a strong start.
Following his release from the Los Angeles Lakers last week, Dalton Knecht decided to join the defending champions.
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 132-123 behind 52 points from Luka Doncic and 29 points from Austin Reaves.
Luka Dončić may not be Michael Jordan, but he's pretty damn good nonetheless.
Luka Dončić ignites the Lakers’ season‑opening road win, dropping a career‑high 52 points as Los Angeles overcomes an 18‑point first‑quarter deficit to beat the Utah Jazz 132‑123 on Oct. 25, 2026. After a sluggish start, Dončić barrels the comeback with clutch threes and free throws, while Austin Reaves adds 15 points, including a critical three in the fourth. The Jazz, led by Bailey’s 13 points, briefly surge but cannot contain Dončić’s burst, especially late in the third when he nails a go‑ahead three. The victory marks the Lakers’ first road triumph of the season, showcasing Dončić’s offensive dominance.
The Los Angeles Lakers got down big against the Utah Jazz, but it didn’t matter for this squad built around Luka Doncic.
Kawhi Leonard misses his first game back with the Toronto Raptors due to knee swelling, sidelining him for the crucial Sunday showdown against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ja’Kobe Walter steps into the starting lineup as the two undefeated teams face off, providing an early test of the Raptors’ depth without Leonard. The article notes Leonard’s recent 27‑minute, 112‑102 win over the Wizards and his historic 60‑game 2019 season, while previewing upcoming back‑to‑back games against the Lakers and Clippers.
Walker Kessler returns to Utah with the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 25, 2026, only to be met with boos despite a “Welcome Back Walker Kessler” screen message. The former Jazz big man, who left for a premium Lakers deal, had previously struggled to lift Utah and openly favored a move to L.A. He recently posted a perfect 12‑field‑goal night in a Lakers blowout over Golden State, helping the team sit 2‑0 after winning against the Warriors and Clippers. The Lakers now head back home to face Portland on Tuesday.
Luka Dončić tells the California Post he feels at home in Los Angeles and hopes to retire as a Laker. After an unexpected trade from Dallas two years ago, the Slovenian star says training camp showed he belongs with the purple‑and‑gold organization and praises the city and franchise. While he admits NBA futures are uncertain, Dončić’s remarks signal a long‑term commitment, leaving the Lakers’ front office to build a competitive roster around him. The interview, dated Oct 16 2026, highlights his enthusiasm and the stakes for Los Angeles.
The Lakers head to Utah’s Delta Center on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 5 PM ET for a Western Conference showdown against the Jazz. The game airs on Spectrum SportsNet and streams free on DIRECTV. Los Angeles enters the 2026‑27 season 2‑0, averaging 126 points with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves leading the offense, while new center Walker Kessler contributes 24 points, 8.5 rebounds and four blocks per game. Utah sits 1‑1 after a 120‑119 win over New Orleans, highlighted by Jaren Jackson Jr.’s 24 points and 10 rebounds. The Jazz will aim to hand the Lakers their first loss, but containing Doncic’s firepower remains a tall order.
The Lakers enter the 2026‑27 season 2‑0 and, after adding Walker Kessler, Ziaire Williams, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Matisse Thybulle and Sandro Mamukelashvili around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, they’re still eyeing upgrades. Analyst Dan Favale cites three priority trade targets: PF PJ Washington, whose stretch‑big skill set complements Kessler; wing Derrick Jones Jr., a 3‑and‑D scorer who can shore up perimeter defense; and backup center Day’Ron Sharpe, who becomes trade‑eligible Dec. 15 and would strengthen the backup‑5 role. These moves aim to address the Lakers’ defensive and depth needs.
WNBA legend Nancy Lieberman reveals that Pat Riley initially opposed her joining the Lakers' 1981 summer league, but Jerry West intervened after seeing her play against men at Xavier High School. West called Lieberman's mother, securing a spot for her despite Riley's reservations. Lieberman endured a tough practice and a chilly locker-room welcome, yet proved her grit, leading Riley to later respect her toughness. The story highlights her pioneering career—three‑time All‑American, two‑time Wade Trophy winner, 1976 Olympic silver medalist, and the first woman to play in the USBL—showcasing West’s faith in her talent.
Nancy Lieberman recounts her groundbreaking stint with the Los Angeles Lakers’ men’s Summer Pro League team in July 1981, when a call from Jerry West and owner Dr. Buss placed her under first‑time coach Pat Riley. Riley later admitted he initially didn’t want her on the squad, yet Lieberman’s confidence and toughness—despite physical intimidation, a hazing prank and fierce drills—earned his respect and taught him mental fortitude. The article traces her path from leading Old Dominion to two AIAW titles, being the first overall pick in the 1980 Women’s Pro Basketball League, joining the men’s USBL in 1986, and finally playing for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA’s inaugural 1997 season. Lieberman’s story highlights her resilience and lasting impact on women’s basketball.
Former NBA guard Kenny Smith joins Marc Lasry and Steve Apostolopoulos’ group, contributing 20% toward a potential Las Vegas NBA expansion franchise. Meanwhile, the G League sees several moves: Westchester Knicks acquire Elfrid Payton’s returning rights from Austin Spurs; Rio Grande Valley Vipers add Sean Pedulla’s rights in a four‑team trade, and the Coachella Valley Lakers trade for Micah Potter, Stanley Umude, James Banks III and Isaiah Miller. John Hollinger of The Athletic reveals his 12‑man All‑Breakout team for 2026/27, highlighting Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg, Spurs’ Dylan Harper, and emerging talents like Bulls’ Leonard Miller. He also discusses rookie scale extensions, noting skepticism toward Keyonté George’s five‑year, $157.5 M Jazz deal.
The Utah Jazz continue their homestand this afternoon as they welcome the Los Angeles Lakers into town for the third game of the season.
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On Sunday, the Los Angeles Lakers will take the floor for their first game of the season against the Utah Jazz. Lakers big man Walker Kessler is on the injury report for this one, but thankfully, he is listed as available despite a left finger splint. Here’s everything we know about the Lakers’ injury situation […] The post Is Walker Kessler playing vs. Jazz after dominant Lakers debut? Latest injury update appeared first on ClutchPoints .
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Kyle Kuzma once tweeted that the Nuggets should give Joker the damn ball and get the hell out of the way. That was the 2022 playoffs, a Wizards star watching from home. His latest post is a different kind of take, in light of a political rally in Michigan. On Sunday, the Bucks forward aimed […] The post “Unbearable”: Ex-Laker Kyle Kuzma Blasts Barack Obama Over Speech in Michigan appeared first on EssentiallySports .