Jazz take Lakers to the wire, Doncic’s 52 seals Utah’s fate
Oct 25, 2026, 6:47 PM
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić (77) shoots a 3-pointer during a game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Lukas Katilius, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Lukas Katilius, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz stormed out of the gates and stayed in the game until the final minutes, but ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Sunday.
Three Jazz players scored 20 or more points in the loss. The result drops Utah to 1-2 on the season.
🟣🟣🟣🟣 https://t.co/h21U04RWtu
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 25, 2026
The first quarter was without a doubt the best quarter of Jazz basketball so far this season.
Utah came out of the gates blistering hot, knocking down 61 percent of their shots from the field. They also had nearly triple the number of rebounds as Los Angeles, and over four times as many assists.
Lauri Markkanen had 12 points in the first frame, but the MVP was, without a doubt, Ace Bailey.
The second-year wing posted 15 points and seven rebounds in his first stint of eight minutes. He did that while guarding Luka Doncic on the other end for much of the quarter.
The Utah Jazz had an offensive rating of 177 in the first quarter.
Pretty good, I’d say. 👍
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) October 25, 2026
The Jazz lead 47-29 after one. But then the script flipped.
Austin Reaves and Doncic caught their strides at the same time, and Utah’s lead started to dwindle. It didn’t help that as the Lakers’ offense turned up, Utah’s offense cooled off.
By halftime, the Lakers had stormed all the way back and actually took a 74-71 lead into the locker room.
Los Angeles shot 66.7% from the field and 60% from three in the second quarter.
It was mainly the Austin Reaves show. He scored 15 in the 2Q.
Partly hot shooting, and partly poor defense. Utah needs to pick it up on that end. That first quarter of offense isn’t sustainable.
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) October 25, 2026
The third quarter was a happy-medium for both sides.
Markkanen went 4-4 from the field and Doncic added 14 to his total, but neither team shot the lights out as they took turns doing in the first half.
Each side scored 29 in the third, and the fourth quarter came with the Lakers still leading by three.
Ended 29-29 in the third quarter. Make-or-break 4Q here.
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) October 25, 2026
The Jazz hung around in the fourth, but the scoring prowess and ability to draw fouls was on full display for the LA guards.
The Lakers scored 29 points in the fourth quarter. Doncic and Reaves combined for 24 of those.
Utah had seven players add to their tally in the final frame, but the committee effort wasn’t enough to outshine what the two on the other side did.
Jazz vs. Lakers Quick Hits
- The Jazz actually dominated LA on the glass. 51 total rebounds to 30. 19 offensive rebounds to four.
- Josh Okogie checked into the game in the first quarter. His debut came on opening night and he didn’t hit the floor until the furth quarter. Josh Green also made his regular season debut today.
- Postgame, Will Hardy highlighted the turnovers, saying simply, “You can’t win with 17 turnovers. It just doesn’t work that way.”
- The Utah Jazz come back to the Delta Center tomorrow night to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, October 26. That game will be the third of five straight at home, and Utah will have a chance to get some revenge for the season-opening loss at FedEx Forum.
