Luka Doncic returns, has 32 points, 10 assists in Lakers' sixth straight win

Luka Doncic returned to the Lakers lineup Monday after missing Sunday's game with lower back tightness and led Los Angeles to a 124-114 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. The win extended the Lakers' winning streak to six games and improved their record to 10-2. Doncic finished with 32 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, though his streak of four consecutive 40-point games ended. Coach JJ Redick praised Doncic's willingness to pass, saying he "could have had 15, 16 assists" and that his first priority is winning, not scoring.

The Lakers played without Austin Reaves, who sat out with an illness after scoring 43 points against Detroit on Sunday, and Quentin Grimes, who missed the game with a sprained right finger. The pair had combined for 55 points and eight assists in the previous win. In their absence, Collin Sexton scored 18 points with six assists, Walker Kessler recorded his third straight double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Sandro Mamukelashvili added a season-high 23 points off the bench.

Atlanta entered the game on a four-game winning streak but fell behind early as the Lakers built a 20-point lead in the second quarter. The Hawks chipped away in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to five points entering the fourth. Doncic hit key shots down the stretch and added a late steal, while Matisse Thybulle hit a 3-pointer that sealed the game. The Lakers forced 19 Hawks turnovers, well above Atlanta's season average of 14.5.

Doncic was named Western Conference Player of the Week earlier Monday after averaging 45 points during a 4-0 stretch. He returned to the arena where he scored a career-high 73 points against the Hawks in January 2024. After the game, Doncic said the team's defensive ranking of 21st in the league does not reflect its potential, adding, "I think we can be way better than 21st."