Luka Doncic Hits 1500 3s, LeBron Helps Lakers Rally

Luka Doncic poured in 33 points, added eight rebounds and 11 assists and became the youngest player ever to reach 1,500 career 3-pointers as the Los Angeles Lakers beat his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, in Dallas. LeBron James chipped in 17 points in a game that saw Dallas storm back in the third only to be outscored badly in the fourth. Anthony Davis remained sidelined with ligament damage, Los Angeles improved to 27-17 and Dallas fell to 19-27. Merlin sees a performance that reads like a declaration. Doncic’s milestone and all-around night mask how much the Lakers lean on star play with Davis hurt, while rookie Cooper Flagg and bench spark Brandon Williams keep Dallas dangerous but uneven. The road trip will test whether Los Angeles can turn clutch finishes into steady identity or if Dallas can stop slipping into streaky spells.