Lakers Beat Jazz 140-126 as Dončić Drops 37, James Hits Historic Milestone in 23rd Season Debut

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t just win — they announced themselves. On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, they demolished the Utah Jazz 140-126 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, turning a tight first half into a statement-making third-quarter explosion. The game, tipped off at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time, wasn’t just another win. It was a coronation of sorts — for Luka Dončić, who dropped 37 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds, and for LeBron James, who, at 40 years old, didn’t just show up — he rewrote history again.

James’ Streak Lives — And So Does His Legacy

LeBron James didn’t light up the scoreboard with his usual dominance. He had 11 points, 12 assists, and played just 27 minutes. But in those minutes, he did something no one else in NBA history ever has: extended his streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games to 1,293. That’s every single game since January 6, 2007 — over 18 years, 1,293 games, zero nights off the board. He also passed Reggie Miller for sixth on the all-time three-pointers list, sinking his 2,561st and 2,562nd from deep. The crowd didn’t just cheer — they stood. Silent, then roaring. Because everyone knows what this means: time isn’t just running out on LeBron. It’s running out on the idea that anyone could ever match this.

And then there’s Bronny. The 20-year-old, born just 10 days after his father’s NBA debut, checked in for the final 3:33 and drained a three-pointer. It wasn’t a game-winner. But in that moment, it felt like the passing of a torch — not because Bronny stole the show, but because he was there, in the same uniform, on the same court, under the same lights, as the man who changed everything.

Dončić Takes Over — And the Jazz Can’t Keep Up

If LeBron was the ghost of greatness, Luka Dončić was the future, flexing in real time. The Slovenian phenom, acquired in a blockbuster trade that still has fans buzzing, went off in the third quarter. Seventeen points. Five assists. A series of step-back threes and spin moves that left defenders spinning like tops. The Lakers outscored Utah 37-22 in that quarter — a 21-5 run that turned a two-point halftime deficit into a 17-point lead. Dončić didn’t just score; he orchestrated. His 10 assists? They weren’t dimes. They were symphonies.

Austin Reaves added 26 points and five rebounds, showing why the Lakers’ backcourt is suddenly one of the league’s most dangerous. But it was Dončić who carried the offensive load when it mattered most — and the Jazz, for all their firepower, had no answer.

Utah’s Fireworks, But No Firepower in the Second Half

The Jazz came out swinging. Keyonte George, the 22-year-old guard from Arlington, Texas, matched his season high with 33 points — some reports say 34 — hitting five three-pointers and dishing out eight assists. Lauri Markkanen, the Finnish sharpshooter, dropped 31 of his own. Together, they combined for 64 points in the first half. Utah led by as many as nine early and held a 71-67 edge at halftime. The crowd at Vivint Arena, watching on their screens, were already thinking: Here we go again. The Jazz have come back from double-digit deficits three times this season.

But this wasn’t one of those nights.

When the third quarter began, the energy shifted. The Lakers’ defense tightened. Dončić found rhythm. And the Jazz? They went cold. Just five points in the final 4:15 of the quarter. No answers. No adjustments. Just silence.

What This Means for Both Teams

The Lakers, now 11-4, have won three in a row. They’re playing with confidence, depth, and a terrifying offensive ceiling. With Dončić and James in the same lineup, they’re no longer just a contender — they’re a threat to win it all. And James? He’s not slowing down. He’s recalibrating. Playing fewer minutes. Playing smarter. Still dominating.

For the Jazz, it’s a familiar story: explosive offense, defensive fragility. At 5-9, they’re on the outside of the playoff picture. Their road record? A dismal 2-6. They’ve got talent — George, Markkanen, and rookie sensation Dalton Knecht — but no cohesion. No identity. And now, they’re heading into a back-to-back with the Lakers again on Sunday, November 22, in Salt Lake City. A rematch. A reckoning.

What’s Next? The Rivalry Rekindles

The NBA schedule has a cruel sense of humor. Just four days after this blowout, the Lakers return to Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City — the same place where the Jazz have won 12 of their last 15 home games. This time, they’ll be without the element of surprise. The Lakers know they can beat them. The Jazz know they have to stop them.

And then there’s the bigger question: How long can LeBron keep this up? The answer? As long as he wants to. He didn’t just pass Reggie Miller. He redefined what longevity looks like. He didn’t just win a game. He reminded the league that greatness isn’t about age — it’s about will.