James, who scored most of his points on fast breaks and strong drives to the hoop, added eight assists and six rebounds in 34 minutes. He had 11 points and 12 assists in a win against the Jazz in the first game of his 23rd NBA season on Tuesday. James missed training camp and the Lakers’ first 14 games due to sciatica.
Lauri Markkanen scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and helped lead the Jazz’s comeback. His 3-pointer was the last of a 17-5 run that brought Utah within 107-106. After Doncic made one of two free throws, Keyonte George’s contested jumper from the corner went off the rim just before the final horn.
George had 27 points and eight assists for the Jazz (5-11), who led at halftime in Wednesday’s game before falling 140-126. It was more competitive from tipoff to the buzzer.
Austin Reaves scored 22 points and Rui Hachimura added 13 points for the Lakers (12-4), who have won four in a row.
Neither team was ahead by more than nine points until the Lakers went on a 13–0 run, which was capped by Doncic’s 3-pointer with 6:06 remaining, giving Los Angeles a 98–85 lead.
The biggest advantage before this was when the Lakers were up 67-58. The Jazz went on a 16-2 run to take a 74-69 lead midway through the third.
Deandre Ayton scored two points in 13 minutes before leaving midway through the second quarter with a knee injury.
Maxi Kleber made his 1,000th career field goal, his only basket of the game. It was a crucial dunk and the Lakers’ last field goal, making the score 107–101 with 1:21 left in the game.
Lakers: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.
Jazz: Visit Golden State on Monday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
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