The Lakers unbeaten start reached three games as Luka Doncic scored 52 points in a 132-123 victory over the Utah Jazz. The win continued Los Angeles’ perfect opening to the season after LeBron James left for Philadelphia.

Lakers unbeaten start survives Utah rally

Doncic added 10 assists and eight rebounds, hitting eight three-pointers in the Lakers’ third consecutive win. It was the first 50-point performance by an NBA player in the season. Austin Reaves contributed 29 points.

Utah led by as many as 18 points in the first half, but a Doncic three-pointer shortly before halftime put Los Angeles ahead at the interval. After the Jazz moved back in front late in the game, another Doncic three tied the score at 116-116.

The Lakers pulled clear in the final four minutes. Doncic said the team needed to learn from its slow start: “We cannot start games like this any more.”

Philadelphia and New York suffer defeats

James’ Philadelphia 76ers lost 106-93 to the Detroit Pistons after winning their first three games. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 26 points as the Pistons improved to 3-0. Tyrese Maxey scored 18 points in the fourth quarter for Philadelphia.

The defending champion New York Knicks fell to 0-3 with a 111-102 loss to the Orlando Magic. Franz Wagner scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to help Orlando secure its first win of the season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Los Angeles Clippers 108-101, but Jalen Williams was stretchered off after an ankle injury. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 34 points.

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