Forty-five points and the Lakers still nearly blew it
Luka Doncic put up 45 points, grabbed rebounds, dished assists, and delivered a triple-double in the Lakers' 143-135 win at Utah. That's an elite performance by any measure. But here's the uncomfortable truth: Los Angeles gave up 78 points in the first half—a season high—and let the Jazz shoot 61% from three-point range through two quarters. Luka had to be transcendent because the Lakers' defense was nonexistent for long stretches.
Without Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton, the Lakers leaned entirely on their Luka-LeBron duo. That works when both are clicking, but it exposes how thin the roster is when role players don't contribute. Utah came out firing, hitting three consecutive threes to build an eight-point lead early. The Jazz were missing Lauri Markkanen and still dropped 41 points in the first quarter. That's not good defense, that's target practice.
Luka was involved in 70% of Lakers points in the first half
Through two quarters, Doncic and LeBron James were the only Lakers in double figures, combining for 28 of the team's 58 points. Luka was involved—through scoring or assists—in 70% of Los Angeles's offense in the first half. That's carrying a team on your back. When one player has to do that much just to keep you within striking distance against a Jazz team that's actively tanking, you've got depth problems.
LeBron finished with 28 points and 10 assists, which is vintage production at 40 years old. But the fact that these two had to combine for this much output to beat Utah says everything about how limited the supporting cast was. Jarred Vanderbilt gave them five quick points to start the second quarter, but beyond that, the Lakers got minimal contribution from anyone not named Doncic or James until the fourth quarter.
Jaxson Hayes is 26-for-26 against Utah this season
Here's a stat that's genuinely absurd: Jaxson Hayes went 7-for-7 against the Jazz Thursday night, bringing his season total against Utah to 26-for-26. He hasn't missed a shot—or more accurately, a dunk—against them all year. That's not skill, that's Utah's interior defense being so bad that Hayes can operate like prime Shaq.
Hayes isn't an elite finisher. He's a role player who catches lobs and cleans up around the rim. The fact he's shooting 100% against any NBA opponent over multiple games tells you the Jazz have zero rim protection. Credit to Hayes for capitalizing, but this is more about Utah's defensive incompetence than his offensive brilliance.
Utah kept fighting because Keyonte George is legit
Keyonte George dropped 34 points and eight assists, and he's making a serious case for Most Improved Player. His shot selection has improved across the board, but the real development is his ability to penetrate and finish at the rim. George's driving game is becoming a genuine weapon, forcing defenses to collapse and creating open looks for teammates.
George scored eight points in the fourth quarter trying to keep Utah competitive, and he nearly pulled off the comeback. The Jazz went on an 8-0 run late to cut the lead to four, and George was the engine driving it. For a team that's rebuilding and losing most nights, having a 22-year-old guard who can score 34 on good efficiency is exactly what you need. He's the real deal.
Marcus Smart got ejected and it killed Utah's momentum
Marcus Smart was cooking in the fourth quarter with nine points, helping Utah stay within striking distance. Then he fouled out. Smart's a veteran who knows how to manage foul trouble, but he couldn't stay on the floor when the Jazz needed him most. His absence let the Lakers pull away comfortably down the stretch.
Maxi Kleber hit three free throws to give LA the lead for the first time, then Smart's scoring kept it close before his ejection. Once he was gone, the Lakers had breathing room. Smart finishing with six fouls in a game where his team desperately needed his two-way presence is a killer. You can't impact winning from the bench.
Luka's back-to-back threes iced it
With four minutes left and the Lakers up by a few, Doncic buried consecutive three-pointers to push the lead to 12. That's closer mentality. The game was tight, Utah had momentum, and Luka stepped on their throat with two dagger threes that ended any realistic comeback hopes. That's what elite players do—they take over when the game's on the line.
The Jazz fought back with an 8-0 run to make it interesting again, but Rui Hachimura hit a crucial three with a minute left to slam the door. The final minutes turned into a free throw parade with several questionable foul calls—including a very suspect one on George behind the arc—but the Lakers converted at the line. Jake LaRavia, Doncic, and LeBron all hit their free throws to seal it.
What this win actually means
The Lakers are now 12-0 on the road this season, which is legitimately impressive. But they also gave up 135 points to a Jazz team missing its best player. This wasn't a defensive masterclass—it was a shootout where the Lakers had more firepower. When Luka has to drop 45 in a triple-double just to beat Utah, that's not sustainable championship basketball.
Doncic was brilliant. LeBron was efficient. Hayes was perfect. But the defense was atrocious for long stretches, and the supporting cast provided almost nothing until the fourth quarter. Against playoff-caliber teams, that formula doesn't work. The Lakers won because their two stars outscored Utah's entire roster when it mattered. That's enough to beat bad teams. It won't beat good ones.