Luka Doncic’s 42-point effort is not enough as the Los Angeles Lakers lose a third straight game, falling 124-112 to the struggling Sacramento Kings.
LOS ANGELES: Luka Doncic scored 42 points but could not prevent the Los Angeles Lakers from a third consecutive defeat.
The Lakers fell 124-112 to the lowly Sacramento Kings, who are second from bottom in the Western Conference with a 10-30 record.
LeBron James, marking his historic 23rd NBA season with a special uniform patch, added 22 points in a frustrating team performance.
Los Angeles made just eight three-pointers from 36 attempts in the loss.
Doncic and James were among only four Lakers players to score in double figures, with Deandre Ayton adding 13 points and Jaxson Hayes contributing 12 off the bench.
The Kings were led by DeMar DeRozan’s 32 points, while Russell Westbrook scored 22 against his former team.
“We literally couldn’t make a shot,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.
In other NBA action, the Indiana Pacers secured their third straight win with a 98-96 upset over the Boston Celtics.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 21 points, including the game-winning floating jump shot with seven seconds remaining.
Boston’s Derrick White missed a 32-foot three-point attempt at the buzzer as Indiana, last year’s NBA Finals runners-up, held on for a rare home victory.
In Toronto, the Philadelphia 76ers romped to a 115-102 win over the Raptors.
The game was marked by a rousing fourth-quarter standing ovation for 39-year-old Kyle Lowry in what was likely his final Toronto appearance before retirement.
Lowry, who helped the Raptors to their lone NBA title in 2019, played just under two minutes for Philadelphia.
Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 33 points, while Joel Embiid added 27.
Maxey paid tribute to Lowry’s mentorship since the veteran’s 2024 arrival in Philadelphia.
“We talk at least five times a day,” Maxey said.
“He just told me, ‘Listen, man. I’m here for you. Whatever you need me to do, whatever you need from me, I’m here for you.'”
Elsewhere, the Utah Jazz scored an upset 123-112 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Keyonte George led Utah with 32 points, supported by Lauri Markkanen’s 28-point contribution.