Luka Doncic put up 45 factors, however the Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t overcome the Milwaukee Bucks’ balanced offense, struggling a 126-106 defeat on Thursday.
The loss marked the Lakers’ third straight and saved them in fourth place within the Western Convention.
With LeBron James sidelined, Doncic carried the Lakers early, scoring 29 factors within the first half at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Discussion board. Nonetheless, the Bucks locked down defensively within the second half, outscoring the Lakers 31-19 within the third quarter to drag away.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 24 factors, Brook Lopez added 23, and Damian Lillard and Kevin Porter Jr. every contributed 22. Gary Trent Jr. made an impression off the bench, hitting 5 three-pointers on his option to 16 factors.
Luka Doncic grew to become solely the third participant in Lakers franchise historical past to document 45+ factors, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ 3-pointers in a single sport.
Austin Reaves supplied 28 factors for the Lakers, however solely rookie Dalton Knecht (10 factors) joined him and Doncic in double figures. The Lakers, now 40-24, face a tricky highway take a look at towards the Denver Nuggets subsequent. The Bucks improved to 37-28, sustaining fourth place within the Jap Convention.
Elsewhere, the Washington Wizards shocked the Detroit Pistons 129-125 regardless of coming into the sport with the NBA’s worst document (14-51). Alex Sarr led Washington with 19 factors, whereas seven Wizards gamers hit double figures. The loss left Detroit clinging to the East’s remaining computerized playoff spot at 37-30.
In New Orleans, Paolo Banchero’s 34 factors guided the Orlando Magic to a 113-93 win over the Pelicans. Franz Wagner added 27 as Orlando strengthened its play-in place.
The Chicago Bulls rallied within the fourth quarter to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 116-110, outscoring them 34-18 within the remaining body.