Luka Doncic poured in 53 points to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-118 victory over Portland in NBA Cup group-stage action Friday, while LeBron James's first trip to Cleveland as a Philadelphia 76er ended in a 119-95 loss. Victor Wembanyama, Jayson Tatum and the Oklahoma City Thunder also posted wins.
Doncic closed the first half with an astonishing shot from well beyond half-court, cutting the Lakers' deficit to seven points and setting the tone for their second-half surge. He added five rebounds and five assists. His 53-point performance was the 11th 50-point game of his career and his fourth with the Lakers, passing LeBron James and tying George Mikan for the fourth-most such games in franchise history. "I'm having a lot of fun," Doncic said.
The Trail Blazers pulled within four points in the final minute, but Doncic hit a floater and the Lakers held on for their fourth straight win.
In Cleveland, the Cavaliers spoiled James's return with a 119-95 victory that snapped Philadelphia's five-game winning streak. James finished with eight points on three-of-12 shooting, with seven rebounds and six turnovers. Joel Embiid missed all nine field goals, scoring six points on free throws. Jaylen Brown led the Sixers with 20 points, but Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points and Evan Mobley added 22 for Cleveland. "I did not feel in a good rhythm offensively," James said.
Elsewhere, the Boston Celtics hit 24 three-pointers in a 119-80 rout of the Hornets, with Jayson Tatum scoring a game-high 34 points. Victor Wembanyama recorded 30 points and 14 rebounds in the Spurs' 124-109 win over the Kings. The Thunder beat the Grizzlies 128-97, with Ajay Mitchell scoring a career-high 35 points and two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander adding 28.
NBA Cup group-stage action continues through November, with quarterfinals scheduled for December 4-5, semifinals December 8-9, and the final on December 11.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Luka Doncic has scored at least 40 points in six of his last seven games, placing him in elite Lakers company and strengthening his MVP case.
- LeBron James's return to Cleveland drew strong fan reaction and highlighted the Philadelphia 76ers' offensive struggles.
- NBA Cup group-stage games add competitive stakes to early-season matchups, with the tournament finals approaching in December.
Background
Friday's games were part of the NBA Cup group stage, which continues through November before quarterfinals in December. LeBron James joined the 76ers in June after a stint with the Lakers, and his return to Cleveland was marked by warm cheers and scattered boos. The four-time champion is playing his 24th NBA season at age 41.
What to Watch
- Doncic's scoring streak: he could extend his historic run in the coming games.
- NBA Cup quarterfinals are set for December 4-5, with semifinals and final later in the month.
- The Sixers, now on a five-game winning streak snapped, will look to bounce back in their next matchups.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedDoncic scored 53 points as the Lakers beat Portland 124-118 in NBA Cup group-stage play Friday.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Luka Doncic poured in 53 points to propel the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-118 NBA Cup group-stage victory over Portland on Friday”
- SupportedThe Cavaliers beat the Sixers 119-95 in LeBron James’s return to Cleveland as a Philadelphia 76er.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “James [...] made his first trip as a Sixer to Cleveland, where the Cavs spoiled his latest homecoming with a 119-95 victory”
- SupportedThe Celtics, Spurs and Thunder also won in NBA Cup group-stage action.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The Boston Celtics drained a whopping 24 three-pointers on 44 attempts in a 119-80 blowout of the Hornets in Charlotte.”
- SupportedDoncic’s shot from beyond half-court at the end of the first half cut the Lakers’ deficit to seven and set the tone for their second-half surge.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “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.”
- SupportedDoncic’s 53 points were the 11th 50-point game of his career and his fourth with the Lakers, passing LeBron James and tying George Mikan for fourth-most in franchise history.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The 11th 50-point game of Doncic’s career was his fourth with the Lakers – passing LeBron James and tying Mikan for the fourth most for the franchise.”
- SupportedDoncic said, “I'm having a lot of fun.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““I’m having a lot of fun,” said Doncic”
- Not in the sourcesJames said, “I did not feel in a good rhythm offensively.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““I did not feel in good rhythm offensively,” James said.”
- SupportedJames finished with eight points on three-of-12 shooting, seven rebounds and six turnovers.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The league’s all-time leading scorer finished with eight points on three-of-12 shooting with seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and six turnovers.”
- SupportedEmbiid missed all nine of his field-goal attempts and scored six points on free throws.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Star centre Joel Embiid missed all nine of his shots from the floor, making six free throws for six points.”
- SupportedThe Celtics made 24 three-pointers in a 119-80 win over the Hornets, with Tatum scoring a game-high 34 points.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The Boston Celtics drained a whopping 24 three-pointers on 44 attempts in a 119-80 blowout of the Hornets in Charlotte. Jayson Tatum drilled five three-pointers on the way to a game-high 34 points”
- SupportedWembanyama had 30 points and 14 rebounds in the Spurs’ 124-109 win over the Kings.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “scored 30 points and pulled down 14 rebounds to lead the Spurs to a 124-109 victory over the Kings in Sacramento.”
- SupportedThe Thunder beat the Grizzlies 128-97; Ajay Mitchell scored a career-high 35 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 28.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their dominance of the Grizzlies with a 128-97 win in Memphis. Ajay Mitchell scored a career-high 35 points, and two-time defending NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 28”