Doncic’s 53 power Lakers

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Luka Doncic poured in 53 points to propel the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-118 National Basketball Association (NBA) Cup victory over Portland on Friday as LeBron James’s latest return to Cleveland ended in defeat.

Doncic’s latest big game helped the Lakers shake off a sluggish start that saw them trailing by as many as 16 points in the second quarter.

Doncic closed the first half with an astonishing shot from well beyond the half-court line, pulling the Lakers within seven points and setting the tone for their second-half surge.

The Trail Blazers had pulled within four points in the final minute when he hit a floater, and the Lakers held on for their fourth straight win.

He has scored at least 40 in six of his last seven games and joined Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant and George Mikan as the only Lakers to score 40 or more in four straight regular-season contests.

“I’m having a lot of fun,” said Doncic, who added five rebounds and five assists. “Obviously playing basketball, it’s a lot of fun for me. It’s more (fun) when you play like this and when you win games.”