By Johnny Askounis/ [email protected]
Without Luka Doncic, now considered questionable for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Dallas Mavericks 124-104 at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.
The 26-year-old Slovenian combo guard missed his fourth straight game of the 2025-26 regular season due to left hamstring strain. He should return to Lakers after the All-Star break, but his status for Sunday’s All-Star Game at Intuit Dome remains uncertain.
Taking over against Doncic’s former team, LeBron James, 41, became the oldest player to record a triple-double in league history. With his 123rd career triple-double, consisting of 28 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, he broke the record previously held by Karl Malone.
German reserve Maxi Kleber added five points and a rebound in 12 minutes of play, helping the JJ Redick-coached team improve its season total to 33-21.
Avdija and Markkanen absent
With Israeli Deni Avdija (lower back injury management) and Finland’s Lauri Markkanen (rest) out for their respective teams, the Portland Trail Blazers prevailed 135-119 over the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center.
Two European players started for Tiago Splitter’s team, with Belgian Toumani Camara recording 14 points, eight rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes, while Frenchman Sidy Cissoko recorded eight points and four rebounds. Coming off the bench, Czech Vit Krejci added 11 points and five rebounds, and his French teammate Rayan Rupert scored two points and four rebounds.
On the losing side, Ukrainian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk scored 14 points in 17 minutes, while Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic did not play.
Thursday results
Oklahoma City Thunder – Milwaukee Bucks 93-110
Utah Jazz – Portland Trail Blazers 119-135
Los Angeles Lakers – Dallas Mavericks 124-104
Ranking
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 40-13
2. Boston Celtics 35-19
3. New York Knicks 35-20
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 34-21
5. Toronto Raptors 32-23
6. Philadelphia 76ers 30-24
7. Magic of Orlando 28-25
8. Miami Heat 29-27
9. Charlotte Frelons 26-29
10. Atlanta Falcons 26-30
11. Chicago Bulls 24-31
12. Milwaukee Bucks 23-30
13. Brooklyn fillets 15-38
14. Indiana Pacers 15-40
15. Wizards of Washington 14-39
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 42-14
2. San Antonio Spurs 38-16
3. Denver Nuggets 35-20
4. Houston Rockets 33-20
5. Los Angeles Lakers 33-21
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 34-22
7. Phoenix Suns 32-23
8. Warriors of the Golden State 29-26
9. Portland Trail Blazers 27-29
10. Los Angeles Clippers 26-28
11. Memphis Grizzlies 20-33
12. Dallas Mavericks 19-35
13. Utah Jazz 18-38
14. New Orleans Pelicans 15-41
15. Kings of Sacramento 12-44
-The top 6 teams in each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth in each conference advance to the Play-Ins
