Doncic Drops 45 as Lakers Survive Late Raptors Rally for 131-125 Win

Luka Doncic produced another monster performance on Sunday night, scoring 45 points with 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 131-125 win over the Toronto Raptors. The Slovenian star was hot from the start, scoring 24 points in the first half with eight rebounds, four assists and five steals, and the Lakers built a lead as large as 26 points early in the third quarter. Toronto refused to go away, however, outscoring Los Angeles 43-27 in the fourth quarter and trimming a 16-point deficit to five in the final minute after the Lakers emptied their bench, forcing coach JJ Redick to send Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler back in to close the game out. Reaves added 19 points, Kessler posted 16 points with 15 rebounds and three blocks, and Collin Sexton chipped in 14 off the bench. Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 29 points and RJ Barrett added 22 points and 10 rebounds. It was Doncic's fourth consecutive game scoring at least 37 points, and the win lifted the Lakers to 5-2 on the season after they had blown a 25-point lead in Friday's loss to Golden State.