Luka Doncic Makes Elite Lakers History with Triple-Double vs Jazz

Dec 18, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward/guard Luka Doncic (77) tries to keep Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) away from the ball during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images | Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

It's safe to say that the Los Angeles Lakers are in good hands with guard Luka Doncic.

Doncic, who the team traded for in February in a shocking deal with the Dallas Mavericks, continues to add his name to the list of Lakers greats, adding another spectacular performance to his growing resume Thursday night against the Utah Jazz.

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Doncic finished with 45 points in the Lakers' 143-135 win over the Jazz, adding 11 rebounds and 14 assists and only one turnover. Doncic became just the fourth Laker to record a 40-point triple-double, joining LA Hall of Famers Jerry West, Magic Johnson and Elgin Baylor.

Lakers' 40-point triple-double club: Jerry, Magic, Elgin, and Luka #VoteLakers

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— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 19, 2025

"It's Luka," Lakers forward LeBron James told reporters postgame. "Luka Magic, so there's no surprise. He's just so damn good. It's ridiculous."

James submitted a near-triple-double of his own on Thursday night, chipping in 28 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.

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Doncic wasn't too impressed with his statline, citing ball security as the main thing he was proud of.

"I think, honestly, I could do so much more," Doncic said after the game. "But I think that one turnover is the best stat-wise on this stat sheet. We had seven turnovers, which is impressive for us and we won the game."

The Lakers' defensive efforts have been continuously called into question this season as their defensive rating ranks in the bottom third of the NBA. Thursday night saw the Lakers improve on transition defense, aided by their low turnover rate, but there was still room for improvement in head coach JJ Redick's eyes.

"[Doncic had] stretches of playing excellent, being engaged and executing our stuff defensively, and then stretches where he is not as engaged and isn't executing our stuff defensively," Redick said. "But I would say that's for everybody. I think the biggest thing, he played certainly well enough to lead us to a win. Him and  LeBron [James] with 24 assists and three turnovers [combined]."

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The win marks the Lakers' second and a row and third out of the last four games. L.A. sits at third in the Western Conference, 5.5 games out of first place, which is Oklahoma City's spot to lose.

Doncic and the Lakers will travel (but not too far) for a road game Saturday against the Los Angeles Clippers at 7:30 p.m.

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.