SALT LAKE CITY. The Lakers’ first road game of the season started about as badly as it could have. It ended with Luka Dončić reminding everyone why no deficit feels safe when he has the ball.
Dončić poured in 52 points, handed out 10 assists and grabbed eight rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers erased an 18-point first-quarter hole and beat the Utah Jazz 132-123 Sunday at Delta Center. The win moved Los Angeles to 3-0 and gave the Lakers their first road victory of the 2026-27 season.
After opening the year with wins over Golden State and the LA Clippers, the Lakers had to win this one a completely different way. They absorbed Utah’s 47-point opening quarter, answered with 45 points in the second and trusted their stars to finish the job.
A first-quarter disaster
Utah came out flying. The Jazz attacked the glass, moved the ball and repeatedly punished a Lakers defense that was a step slow. Los Angeles trailed 47-29 after one quarter, with the Jazz turning the afternoon into the kind of high-energy home opener that can swallow a visiting team.
The rebounding problem was especially glaring. Utah collected 19 offensive rebounds and created a steady stream of extra possessions. Walker Kessler’s return to Salt Lake City was also much quieter than his first two games in purple and gold. The former Jazz center finished with two points, seven rebounds and one block in 28 minutes.
But the Lakers did not let the game get away.
Dončić leads a 45-point response
The second quarter belonged to Los Angeles. The Lakers outscored Utah 45-24, turning an 18-point deficit into a 74-71 halftime lead.
Dončić was the engine of the comeback and never really slowed down. He shot 17-of-30 from the field, made eight of his 18 attempts from 3-point range and went 10-of-11 at the foul line. His 52 points came with only four turnovers despite carrying the offense for more than 38 minutes.
Austin Reaves supplied the other major scoring punch. Reaves finished with 29 points on 7-of-12 shooting, hit four of five 3-pointers and converted 11 of 13 free throws. With Dončić commanding Utah’s attention, Reaves kept finding openings and made the Jazz pay.
The Lakers win the math
Utah won the rebounding battle and finished with 29 assists, but the Lakers controlled the two categories that ultimately decided the game.
Los Angeles made 20 3-pointers at a 42.6 percent clip while Utah went 10-of-35 from deep. The Lakers also committed only 10 turnovers compared with 17 by the Jazz. That combination gave Los Angeles enough clean possessions to survive Utah’s dominance on the offensive glass.
Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams each scored 11 points and combined for six 3-pointers. Collin Sexton added 13 points off the bench, including a key 3-pointer after Utah briefly moved back in front during the fourth quarter.
Closing out the first road win
The Lakers carried a 103-100 lead into the fourth, but the Jazz were not finished. Keyonte George put Utah ahead 111-110 with 7:25 remaining before Sexton answered from deep on the next Lakers possession.
From there, Los Angeles regained control and finished the night at the foul line. The Lakers scored 29 points in the final quarter while holding Utah to 23.
Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 28 points and five 3-pointers. George added 24 points and 10 assists, while Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 20. Rookie Ace Bailey contributed 17 points and 12 rebounds.
What it means
The Lakers will not be happy with the opening quarter or the work on the defensive glass. Allowing 47 points in a quarter and 19 offensive rebounds will get punished against better teams.
Still, this was an encouraging early-season test. Los Angeles took Utah’s best punch, corrected the game before halftime and executed late on the road. Dončić delivered a superstar performance, Reaves remained efficient and the supporting cast made enough timely shots to complete the comeback.
Three games, three wins and one 52-point reminder that the Lakers can erase a lot of mistakes when Dončić takes over.
Quarter-by-quarter scoring
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakers | 29 | 45 | 29 | 29 | 132 |
| Jazz | 47 | 24 | 29 | 23 | 123 |
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