Luka Doncic Gives Simple Answer About Historic Scoring Run After Lakers Beat Blazers

Luka Doncic had another chance to discuss his individual production Friday night. He focused on the Lakers’ results.

After scoring a season-high 53 points in a 124-118 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena, Doncic offered a straightforward response about sustaining his scoring pace.

“As long as we win, I’m good with whatever I do.”

The Lakers have been getting both lately. Doncic’s latest performance helped Los Angeles improve to 8-2, extend its winning streak to four games and earn its first NBA Cup victory of the season. Portland dropped to 6-2.

Doncic added five rebounds and five assists, giving the Lakers the offensive production they needed to recover from a difficult opening half. Los Angeles trailed by as many as 16 points before taking control behind its leading scorer.

For much of the first half, the Lakers generated opportunities without getting the payoff.

They missed all 12 of their first-quarter 3-point attempts and fell behind 29-20. Austin Reaves also struggled to establish a rhythm, missing his first seven shots before getting a runner to fall.

Doncic supplied the most memorable basket of the half.

His banked heave from beyond half court beat the buzzer and brought Los Angeles within 60-53. The Lakers had made just four of their 23 attempts from deep, but they entered the locker room with a manageable deficit.

“I thought it was an important shot to make. So that’s why I decided to make it,” Doncic said.

He followed that moment with a third quarter that changed the game.

Doncic scored 20 points in the period, outscoring Portland’s entire team as the Lakers won the quarter 34-15. A seven-point halftime deficit became an 87-75 advantage entering the fourth.

The Blazers eventually threatened that lead, forcing Los Angeles to execute late. Doncic answered again with a jumper in the lane with approximately 28 seconds remaining, helping the Lakers finish the comeback.

Doncic drove the turnaround, but Los Angeles also received important contributions around him.

Reaves recovered from his slow start to finish with 25 points. Walker Kessler added 16 points and 12 rebounds, providing another productive performance inside.

The Lakers also created opportunities that helped offset their uneven shooting. They forced 24 turnovers and collected 17 offensive rebounds, finishing with an 11-for-37 mark from 3-point range.

Adou Thiero contributed four points, four offensive rebounds and two assists in nearly seven minutes during his season debut. His activity gave Los Angeles useful possessions while its offense searched for consistency.

For coach JJ Redick, Doncic’s scoring surge left little room for an elaborate explanation.

“For now ... I don’t have any words,” Redick said.

Friday’s win also gave the Lakers a response to their 136-129 loss to Portland on Oct. 27. This time, they recovered from the early deficit and produced enough late offense to protect their lead.

Doncic acknowledged feeling tired afterward but described himself as feeling great. With the Lakers stacking victories, his postgame priority remained the same: the result mattered most.