Doncic's 53 points power Lakers win as LeBron loses on Cleveland return

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. The win extended the Lakers' winning run to four straight games.

The Lakers had a sluggish start and trailed by as many as 16 points in the second quarter. They recovered from that deficit to take the win.

Doncic closed the first half with an astonishing shot from well beyond the half-court line, pulling the Lakers within seven points. That shot set the tone for the Lakers' second-half surge.

The Trail Blazers had pulled within four points in the final minute when Doncic hit a floater, and the Lakers held on for the win.

Doncic has scored at least 40 points in six of his last seven games. He joined Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant and George Mikan as the only Lakers players to score 40 or more in four straight regular-season contests.

It was the 11th 50-point game of Doncic's career. It was his fourth with the Lakers, passing LeBron James and tying Mikan for the fourth most 50-point games for the franchise.

Doncic also added five rebounds and five assists. After the match he said, "I'm having a lot of fun. Obviously playing basketball, it's a lot of fun for me. It's more [fun] when you play like this and when you win games."

LeBron James's return to Cleveland was also in focus on the same night. James, who left the Lakers for the Philadelphia 76ers in June, made his first trip as a Sixer to Cleveland. But the Cavaliers won 119-95, snapping Philadelphia's five-game winning streak.

Many had expected James to opt for a third stint in Cleveland before he chose Philadelphia. He was greeted by warm cheers, and scattered boos, when he was introduced. He was cheered again when he exited the game late in the fourth quarter.

The four-time NBA champion, playing his 24th NBA season at the age of 41, is the league's all-time leading scorer. In this match he finished with eight points on three-of-12 shooting, with seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and six turnovers.

Star centre Joel Embiid missed all nine of his shots from the floor, making six free throws for six points. Jaylen Brown, like James an off-season import, led the Sixers with 20 points.

But the Cavaliers seized control early and repelled every Philadelphia surge. Donovan Mitchell scored 10 of his 23 points in the first quarter. Evan Mobley added 22 points, and Cleveland out-rebounded Philadelphia 56-42.