Lakers Survive Late Jazz Surge in Salt Lake City
The Los Angeles Lakers narrowly escaped with a 108-106 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday night, thanks to a dominant performance from
Luka Dončić, who poured in 33 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 8 assists. The win, LA’s fourth in a row, pushes their record to an impressive 12-4, while the Jazz drop to 5-11 after another close loss.
Dončić Delivers, Reaves Steps Up
Dončić, acquired in a blockbuster trade last season, continues to prove his worth as the Lakers’ new franchise cornerstone. He was relentless on both ends, adding 3 steals to his near triple-double and hitting clutch shots down the stretch.
But it wasn’t a one-man show.
Austin Reaves delivered a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, providing crucial support as the Lakers weathered a furious late-game rally from Utah.
Jazz Nearly Pull Off Stunning Comeback
The Lakers led by 11 with just three minutes left, but the Jazz refused to go quietly.
Keyonte George led Utah with 27 points and 8 assists, orchestrating a late surge that nearly flipped the game. The Jazz cut the deficit to just two points in the final seconds, but LA’s defense held firm to secure the win.
Utah’s Deandre Ayton, a key piece in their frontcourt, left the game with a knee contusion, further complicating the Jazz’s efforts to close the gap.
LeBron’s Presence Felt, But Lakers Still Searching for Consistency
While
LeBron James continues to make history simply by suiting up at age 40, the Lakers’ performance was far from flawless. After a rare four-day break, LA looked sluggish at times and nearly squandered a comfortable lead. Head coach JJ Redick has voiced concerns about the team’s late-game execution, acknowledging there’s still work to do if the Lakers want to contend for a title.
What This Means for Both Teams
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Lakers: With Dončić leading the charge and Reaves emerging as a reliable second option, LA is finding ways to win even when not at their best. Their ability to survive close games could pay dividends in the playoffs, but tightening up late-game execution remains a priority.
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Jazz: Despite the loss, Utah’s young core showed resilience. Keyonte George’s breakout performance is a bright spot, but injuries and inconsistency continue to plague the team.
Key Stats
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|------------------|--------|--------|----------|---------|
| Luka Dončić | Lakers | 33 | 11 | 8 |
| Austin Reaves | Lakers | 22 | 10 | 2 |
| Keyonte George | Jazz | 27 | 4 | 8 |
Looking Ahead
The Lakers’ next challenge will be maintaining momentum as they continue their road trip, while the Jazz will look to regroup and get healthy. With Dončić playing at an MVP level and LeBron still defying Father Time, LA’s championship hopes are alive and well—but as Sunday’s close call showed, nothing comes easy in the NBA.
Sources
1. LAKERS at JAZZ | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | November 23, 2025
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights
3. 3 lessons from LA Lakers vs. Utah Jazz: Stunning 4th quarter collapse shows JJ Redick has work to do
4. The Lakers are winning plenty and looking good while doing so
5. Luka Dončić Drops 33 PTS, 11 REB & 8 AST vs Jazz - YouTube
6. What will the Lakers' options be with Deandre Ayton in free agency?
7. The Lakers are part of a record-breaking seven-team trade
8. Utah Jazz news - Basketball, USA - Flashscore.com
9. Los Angeles Lakers news - Basketball, USA - Flashscore.com
10. Luka Dončić is making a case as the best player in the NBA
11. NBA News, Scores, Stats, Standings and Rumors - CBS Sports
12. Best Los Angeles Lakers Podcasts (2025) - Player FM
