LOS ANGELES, United States, 14 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Luka Doncic delivered a stellar individual performance with a game-high 45 points, yet it was not enough to prevent the Los Angeles Lakers from succumbing to a third consecutive defeat, falling 126-106 to the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA on Thursday.
Doncic, who has been the Lakers’ primary offensive force in the absence of the injured LeBron James, got off to a blistering start at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum, scoring 29 points in the first half alone. However, his momentum slowed in the latter stages as the Bucks’ defence tightened, restricting the Lakers’ offensive play.
The turning point came in the third quarter when Milwaukee outscored Los Angeles 31-19, stretching their lead to a commanding 20 points going into the final period. The Bucks comfortably managed the game from that point, securing a victory that solidifies their fourth-place standing in the Eastern Conference with a 37-28 record.
The Lakers, now 40-24, remain fourth in the Western Conference but have faced a troubling slump on their current road trip, which concludes with a challenging clash against Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets on Friday.
Austin Reaves contributed 28 points for the Lakers, but there was little support elsewhere, with only rookie Dalton Knecht reaching double figures with 10 points.
Milwaukee, in contrast, demonstrated a well-balanced offensive display. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team with 24 points, closely followed by Brook Lopez with 23, while Damian Lillard and Kevin Porter Jr. each added 22 points. Gary Trent Jr. also played a crucial role off the bench, scoring 16 points exclusively from three-point range.
Other NBA Action Elsewhere on Thursday, the Detroit Pistons suffered a surprise home defeat to the struggling Washington Wizards. Despite sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 14-51 record, the Wizards stunned their opponents with a 129-125 victory. The game, which featured 17 lead changes, saw Washington’s scoring spread across the team, with Alex Sarr leading the way with 19 points.
The loss puts Detroit at risk in the playoff race, as they hold the sixth and final automatic postseason spot with a 37-30 record, just ahead of seventh-placed Atlanta (32-34), who remain in contention.
Meanwhile, in New Orleans, the Orlando Magic cruised to a 113-93 victory over the Pelicans, powered by a dominant 34-point display from Paolo Banchero and a 27-point contribution from Franz Wagner. The win lifts Orlando to 31-36, keeping them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and in the mix for the play-in tournament.
In Chicago, the Bulls staged a late fourth-quarter surge to outscore the Brooklyn Nets 34-18, securing a hard-fought 116-110 victory. The result bolsters Chicago’s playoff hopes as the regular season nears its final stretch.
Context for Readers
The latest set of results highlights the unpredictability of the NBA season, with underdog teams like the Wizards capable of springing surprises. The Lakers’ struggles without LeBron James underline their reliance on star power, while the Bucks’ depth suggests they could be a serious contender in the postseason. Meanwhile, the battle for play-in spots remains fierce in both conferences, ensuring an exciting run-in to the playoffs.