On Thursday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers played the Phoenix Suns in Arizona.
The Lakers lost their second straight game by one possession, falling 113-110.
Despite the loss, Luka Doncic erupted for 41 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals while shooting 12/21 from the field and 6/11 from three-point range in 39 minutes of playing time.
Luka Doncic Made Major Los Angeles Lakers History
Doncic also made major franchise history with his outstanding performance.
Via Ryan Ward of Lakers OnSI: “Per Lakers: Luka Dončić finished with 41 points tonight at Phoenix, marking his ninth 40-point game of the season. Dončić joins Elgin Baylor (four times), Kobe Bryant (four times), Shaquille O’Neal and Jerry West (three times) as the only players in franchise history with nine or more 40-point games in a season.”
Doncic’s First Full Season With Lakers
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| LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 20: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring during the second half of their game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luiza Moraes/Getty Images) |
Doncic is averaging an incredible 32.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.6 assists and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 47.0% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range in 46 games.
He will have a chance to win his first ever MVP award.
John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix wrote: “What an incredible win by the Suns tonight. Huge 13-0 run to take control in the fourth and go up by 10 but Luka willed the Lakers back with some big time three pointers. After LA tied it at 110 on a Lebron follow, Royce O’Neale with the dagger three with 0.9 left to break the tie and the Suns win.”
Looking Ahead For The Lakers
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| LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 20: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of their game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luiza Moraes/Getty Images) |
With their loss to the Suns, the Lakers dropped to 34-24 in 58 games, which has them as the sixth seed in the Western Conference.
They are in the middle of a three-game losing streak (and 5-5 over their last ten games).
Following the Suns, the Lakers will play their next game on Saturday when they play the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center.
Skip Bayless ripped the team after the loss: “Well, Lakers ran a sneaky great play to free their clutchest shooter Austin Reaves for a long in-bounds crosscourt pass – and his shot hit the far side of the rim. LAKERS LOSE AT PHOENIX TO A TEAM WITHOUT BOOKER, BROOKS AND GOODWIN.”
On the other side, the Suns are now 34-26 in 60 games, which has them as the seventh seed in the Western Conference.
They have won four out of their last ten games.
Following the Lakers, the Suns will play their next game on Tuesday night when they visit the Sacramento Kings.
Doncic was the third pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
He spent the first six and a half years of his career with the Dallas Mavericks.
- Ben Stinar
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