Luka dominates with 53 points, Lakers hold off Blazers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 06: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena on November 06, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Ben Liebenberg / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic continued his torrid start to the season, scoring 53 points in a 124-118 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

Doncic is the first Laker to reach the 40-point plateau in four consecutive games since Kobe Bryant in 2012. He's scored at least 40 in six games overall in the young 2026-27 campaign.

The six-time All-Star dropped 20 points in the third quarter, outscoring the entire Blazers team by five during the frame.

Doncic is now averaging 40.1 points per game. The 27-year-old's 363 points are the most through nine games of an NBA season since Wilt Chamberlain in 1962.

It's Doncic's fourth 50-point game as a Laker. He's now tied for fourth in franchise history, passing LeBron James. His 11th career 50-point contest ranks 10th in NBA history, tied with Allen Iverson.

The 53-point night represents a season-high for Doncic as well. The two-time scoring champ put up 52 earlier this season against the Utah Jazz.

The Lakers improve to 8-2 with the victory. They are now 1-1 in NBA Cup play.

Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers drop to 6-2 in their first contest of the in-season tournament.

Deni Avdija and Damian Lillard each scored 22 in the loss. Avdija came tantalizingly close to a triple-double, adding 11 assists and nine rebounds.

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