The first game after an extended road trip can definitely be a challenge.
Coach JJ Redick mentioned ahead of the Lakers’ home game against the Nets that matches like this often have a road game vibe. And it was clear to see; the Lakers had quite a tough start against the visiting Nets.
Nonetheless, Luka Doncic really shone, scoring 41 points in the Lakers’ 116-99 win over the Nets, which helped the team continue their impressive winning streak.
The Lakers only led by a single point (85-84) as they entered the fourth quarter, but then they surged, outscoring the Nets 31-15.
Austin Reeves also made a notable contribution with 26 points, along with eight rebounds and five assists. LeBron James added 14 points, with eight assists and six rebounds.
What it means
This victory marked the Lakers’ 14th win in 16 games, bringing their record to 48-26.
Turning point
A key moment in the game occurred when Jackson Hayes blocked a putback attempt from Ben Saraf with 4:19 remaining. At that point, the Lakers were leading 103-97, but still finding it tough to break away from the Nets.
Hayes’ block led to a shooting foul on Rui Hachimura during the transition, allowing Hachimura to hit two free throws and push the Lakers ahead by eight points.
Following Hayes’ block, the Lakers went on a 7-0 run, which really helped solidify their lead.
MVP: Luka Doncic
Doncic stood out as the MVP of this game. Interestingly, he also received a third technical foul that could lead to a one-game suspension, unless it’s overturned.
His performance was impressive, marking his second straight game with 40 points, his sixth in 12 games, and the league-leading 15th 40-point game of the season.
Game status: 18
The Lakers accumulated a total of 18 blocked shots and steals against the Nets, with Hayes contributing five blocks and Doncic recording a team-high three steals.
To the next
The Lakers will have a two-day break before their next game against the Wizards on Monday. This is the first instance of having multiple days off between games since mid-January, aside from the All-Star break.
However, Doncic’s 16th technical foul this season might sideline him due to a likely one-game suspension from the league.
