Luka Doncic's 40 Points Lead Lakers Past Kings 116-103 for 7-2 Start in Sacramento

Luka Doncic scored 40 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 116-103 on Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, improving to 7-2 while Sacramento fell to 1-7. Doncic added nine rebounds and seven assists in another dominant night, his fifth 40-point game in his last six outings, as the Lakers pulled away after halftime and held off a late Kings rally to stay near the top of the Western Conference.

Key Points

• Luka Doncic scored 40 points with nine rebounds and seven assists on 11-of-23 shooting, including 6-of-13 from three-point range and 12-of-13 from the free-throw line.
• It was Doncic's fifth 40-point game in his last six outings, continuing a scoring run that has carried the Lakers through the opening weeks of the season.
• The Lakers tied the game 28-28 after the first quarter, won the second 33-26 for a 61-54 halftime lead, and took the third 26-20 to lead 87-74 entering the fourth.
• Austin Reaves added 21 points and Walker Kessler had 15 points and eight rebounds for Los Angeles, which held off a late Sacramento rally that cut the deficit to seven.
• Darius Acuff led Sacramento with 22 points and 12 assists, Zach LaVine scored 21, and Domantas Sabonis had 16 points and 17 rebounds. The Kings fell to 1-7 and 0-3 at home.

What Happened

The night did not start smoothly for the Lakers. Doncic missed his first four shots and Sacramento built an early eight-point lead in front of its home crowd. The Kings, still searching for their second win, played with urgency from the opening tip.

Doncic found his rhythm before the quarter ended. The Lakers tied the game 28-28 after the first quarter, then took control in the second, outscoring Sacramento 33-26 for a 61-54 halftime lead. Doncic was finding his spots from deep and from the line, and the Lakers' offence began to flow through him.

The third quarter belonged to Los Angeles. The Lakers won the period 26-20 to stretch the lead to 87-74, and Doncic had a courtside fan removed late in the quarter after an interaction while he was inbounding the ball. Sacramento made one final push in the fourth, cutting the deficit to seven, but the Lakers steadied themselves and closed the game out from the free-throw line to win 116-103.

Lakers Beat Kings 116-103 Behind Doncic's 40-Point Night

The headline number was Doncic's 40 points, but the way he got them told the story of the game. After the 0-for-4 start, he shot 11-of-23 from the field, hit six of 13 three-pointers and made 12 of 13 free throws, punishing Sacramento every time it sent him to the line. His nine rebounds and seven assists rounded out a complete performance.

It was the latest chapter in a remarkable scoring stretch. Doncic has now scored at least 40 points in five of his last six games, a run that includes 45 points against Toronto on Sunday and 42 against Miami on Monday. Few players in the league can match that kind of sustained production, and the Lakers have ridden it to a 7-2 start.

Reaves gave Doncic the support he needed, scoring 21 points, while Kessler added 15 points and eight rebounds in an efficient night. Sacramento's effort was led by Acuff, whose 22 points and 12 assists kept the Kings competitive, and Sabonis, who controlled the glass with 17 rebounds to go with his 16 points. LaVine added 21 points, but the Kings could not find enough scoring elsewhere to keep pace.

Background: A 7-2 Start Built on Doncic's Scoring Run

The Lakers arrived in Sacramento in strong form. Sunday's 131-125 win over Toronto and Monday's 138-117 rout of Miami had both been powered by Doncic, and Wednesday's win made it three victories in four nights for a team that has found its identity early in the season.

Sacramento, by contrast, came into the game still looking for traction. The Kings fell to 1-7 with the loss and remain winless in three home games this season. The defeat leaves Sacramento at the bottom of the Western Conference standings while the Lakers sit near the top.

The contrast was visible in the second half. The Lakers had answers every time Sacramento threatened, while the Kings' rallies kept falling short. A seven-point deficit late in the fourth was as close as the home side got.

Reactions

No post-game player or coach quotations were carried in the wire reports checked for this article, so none are quoted here. The numbers needed little embellishment: a 40-point night from Doncic, a fifth in six games, in a road win that kept the Lakers rolling.

The moment that drew the most attention after the game was the fan ejection late in the third quarter, when Doncic was inbounding the ball and arena staff removed a courtside fan from his seat. The incident briefly interrupted play but did not change the game.

Why It Matters

The Lakers' 7-2 start is their best opening in years, and it has been built almost entirely on Doncic's scoring. When a player produces 40 points in five of six games, it changes how opponents defend the whole team, opening space for Reaves, Kessler and the rest of the supporting cast. The Lakers look like a team that has found a formula that works.

For Sacramento, the loss deepens an early-season crisis. At 1-7 and winless at home, the Kings are running out of time to turn the season around before the standings begin to harden. Acuff's 22 points and 12 assists and Sabonis's double-double show the talent is there, but the results are not following.

What Happens Next

The Lakers will look to keep their winning run going, with Doncic's form the central question of every game they play. If he keeps scoring at this rate, Los Angeles will be difficult for anyone to beat.

Sacramento returns home to try again, still searching for its first Golden 1 Center win this season. The Kings' next games take on added importance with every defeat, and the coaching staff will be looking for answers on both ends of the floor.

Related coverage: Doncic drops 42 as Lakers rout Heat 138-117 and Luka Doncic's 45 points power Lakers past Raptors 131-125.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score between the Lakers and the Kings?
The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 116-103 on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

How many points did Luka Doncic score?
Doncic scored 40 points with nine rebounds and seven assists, shooting 11-of-23 from the field, 6-of-13 from three-point range and 12-of-13 from the free-throw line. It was his fifth 40-point game in his last six outings.

Who else scored for the Lakers?
Austin Reaves added 21 points and Walker Kessler had 15 points and eight rebounds for Los Angeles.

Who led the Kings in scoring?
Darius Acuff led Sacramento with 22 points and 12 assists. Zach LaVine scored 21 points and Domantas Sabonis had 16 points and 17 rebounds.

What are the teams' records now?
The Lakers improved to 7-2, while the Kings fell to 1-7 and 0-3 at home this season.