Lakers outlast 76ers 119–115 as Luka Dončić exits early and Reaves erupts

The Lakers beat the 76ers 119–115 in Los Angeles on Thursday night, but the win was overshadowed by Luka Dončić leaving in the second quarter with a sore left hamstring and heading for an MRI. Los Angeles erased a 14-point third-quarter deficit and rode a blistering scoring burst from Austin Reaves to snap Philadelphia’s five-game winning streak.

Dončić played 16 minutes, finishing with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and five turnovers before he was shut down for the second half. The team officially ruled him out late in the third quarter.

76ers vs lakers: score and key player stats

Los Angeles didn’t take its first lead until the fourth quarter, then closed with a decisive run to hold off a late Philadelphia push.

Reaves’ scoring came in just 25 minutes, a major lift for a Lakers bench that needed offense once Dončić exited.

Luka Dončić injury: what happened and what’s next

Dončić appeared to tweak his left leg late in the second quarter. He initially stayed on the floor, then left with just over three minutes remaining in the half and did not return. The Lakers described it as left leg soreness, with the focus on the left hamstring and imaging scheduled to determine severity.

The immediate implication is workload and playmaking: the Lakers built much of their offense around Dončić’s shot creation and passing. Any missed time compresses responsibilities onto Reaves, LeBron James, and the team’s secondary ball-handlers—especially with the schedule tightening into the weekend.

Austin Reaves and the fourth-quarter swing

The Lakers’ comeback was sparked by Reaves’ shot-making after halftime, including a deep three that helped flip the game’s momentum. After trailing by double digits in the third, Los Angeles finally broke through in the fourth and surged ahead during a 13–4 run, creating just enough separation to survive the final possessions.

Reaves’ production also changed the Sixers’ defensive math. Philadelphia had been able to load up on primary actions earlier, but once Reaves heated up, the Lakers generated cleaner looks and more favorable matchups—particularly in late-clock situations.

76ers stars respond, but late rally falls short

Philadelphia still got elite output from Embiid and Maxey, plus a strong all-around night from Edgecombe. Embiid punished single coverage and made the Lakers pay when they were late with help. Maxey’s playmaking kept the offense humming even during stretches when the Lakers’ defense tightened.

The problem for the Sixers was timing: their best stretch came before Los Angeles’ fourth-quarter push, and the late comeback bid ran into tougher Lakers possessions and fewer transition chances. The loss also marked the end of Philadelphia’s five-game winning streak.

Lakers news and the next game on the schedule

Thursday’s win finished a home return after an extended road swing, but the larger question is Dončić’s availability going forward. The Lakers’ next game is Saturday, Feb. 7, at home against the Warriors at 8:30 p.m. ET.

If Dončić is sidelined, watch for three pressure points:

• Ball security: the Lakers can’t afford long turnover stretches without his stabilizing presence.

• Bench scoring continuity: Reaves’ explosion isn’t guaranteed nightly, so secondary scoring becomes essential.

• Late-game offense: without Dončić, end-of-game creation leans heavily on LeBron and Reaves, and opponents can gear coverages accordingly.

Sources consulted: Reuters; Associated Press; ESPN; NBA.com