How this Slovenian plays. Doncic scored 52 points, overtaking Shaq and climbing the eternal ladder

Luka Dončić scored 52 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 132-123 victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Salt Lake City. The Slovenian guard added ten assists and eight rebounds, guiding his team to its third win in three games at the start of the new NBA season. Dončić became the first player in the current league campaign to score at least 50 points in a single game. His performance included eight made three-pointers and four free throws in the final stretch, helping the visitors overcome an 18-point deficit. The Lakers entered the contest trailing significantly after the first quarter, which Utah won 47-29. The home team built a substantial early advantage, leading 21-12 midway through the opening period before Los Angeles began its comeback. Dončić scored 17 points during that first quarter alone. In the second quarter, the Lakers responded with a 45-24 run to take control. With seconds remaining in the half, Dončić hit a step-back three-pointer to give the visitors their first lead of the game, 74-71. The balance of power shifted again late in the fourth quarter. Utah regained the initiative, taking a 116-113 lead with just over four minutes left on the clock. Dončić took charge from there, hitting consecutive three-pointers and drawing fouls to spark a 19-6 run for Los Angeles. This sequence gave the Lakers a 127-121 lead with 102 seconds remaining. Austin Reaves sealed the result with an additional three-pointer. Reaves finished with 29 points, while he and Dončić combined to make 21 of their 24 attempts from the free-throw line. Statistical records were updated following the performance. For the Lakers franchise, Dončić has now recorded three games with at least 50 points since joining the team approximately eighteen months ago. This surpasses the two such games achieved by Shaquille O’Neal during his eight seasons in Los Angeles. Across his entire NBA career, Dončić has reached the 50-point mark in ten games. This ties him with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who required twenty years in the league to achieve the same total. The next player on the all-time list for 50-point games is Allen Iverson with eleven, followed by Wilt Chamberlain, who holds the record with 138. Dončić’s shooting efficiency was notable throughout the contest. He shot 17-for-30 from the field and 8-for-18 from beyond the arc. It marked the tenth time in his regular-season career that he had surpassed 50 points. Additionally, it was the fourth time he had recorded at least 50 points and ten assists in a single game, a feat previously accomplished more frequently only by James Harden. He also became the first player in Lakers history to record at least 50 points, ten assists, five rebounds, and five made three-pointers in one game. On the floor, the Lakers continued their winning streak without LeBron James, who transferred to Philadelphia earlier in the summer. The team had previously defeated the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers in their opening two contests. Against Utah, the Lakers have now won eight of their last nine meetings. The Jazz struggled despite a strong effort from their roster. Lauri Markkanen led Utah with 28 points. Keyonte George contributed 24 points, ten assists, and nine rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 20 points, while Ace Bailey provided 17 points and 12 rebounds. Walker Kessler featured prominently in the narrative as he returned to the Delta Center against his former team. The center moved from Utah to Los Angeles during the offseason in exchange for two unprotected first-round draft picks and the right to swap two first-round selections. Despite being named the best center in the NBA by Shaquille O’Neal in a recent studio appearance, Kessler managed only two points and seven rebounds in the loss. He missed most of the previous season due to a shoulder injury, playing in just five games. In post-game comments, Dončić reflected on the team's resilience. He stated that the squad showed character and heart despite falling behind by nearly 20 points. "We played basketball the way we know how to play," Dončić said. "We learn from mistakes... We should not start games the way we did today." He described hitting key three-pointers in close finishes as one of the best feelings in the sport. Dončić also noted that the group feels connected, adding that all newcomers have felt very welcome. The Lakers will face the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. Utah will host the Memphis Grizzlies later on Tuesday. Elsewhere in the NBA action, the Orlando Magic upset the defending champion New York Knicks 111-102, marking the Knicks' third straight loss. Franz Wagner scored 21 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter for Orlando. The Detroit Pistons defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 106-93, with Cade Cunningham contributing 26 points.