Doncic adds 35 and 11 assists vs former team, Lakers extend win streak to six and sweep NBA Cup group
Austin Reaves poured in a career-high 38 points including six threes as the Lakers held off the Mavericks 129-119, extending their winning streak to six games and securing a home NBA Cup quarterfinal with a perfect group-stage sweep. Playing against his former team for the third time, Luka Dončić responded with 35 points and 11 assists, combining with Reaves for 19 and 17 points respectively in a dominant second half that erased Dallas’ late lead.
Anthony Davis, back in Los Angeles for the first time since the Lakers traded him to Dallas for Dončić 10 months ago, received a standing ovation but was held to 13 points and five rebounds on a minutes restriction following a 14-game calf absence. The former Lakers star, beloved for his role alongside LeBron James in their championship run, helped Dallas improve from recent struggles but couldn’t overcome LA’s surge as the Mavs fell for the fifth time in six outings.
With under eight minutes left and Dallas clinging to a slim edge, the Lakers clamped down defensively, holding the visitors scoreless for nearly four minutes during a pivotal 13-1 run sparked by key buckets from Reaves and Deandre Ayton (17 points). LeBron James, quiet with just two points in the first half, finished with 13 including a dagger three-pointer in the final two minutes to seal the outcome.
P.J. Washington led Dallas with 22 points while Ryan Nembhard added 17 and rookie Cooper Flagg posted 13 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds in a well-rounded debut against his new rivals. Max Christie chipped in 13 against his former team, but Dallas couldn’t match LA’s second-half firepower despite Davis’ presence boosting their recent form.
The victory keeps the Lakers firmly in the Western Conference title picture, showcasing Reaves’ emergence as a scoring force and Dončić’s seamless integration alongside James and Ayton.
