Doncic Scores 40 as Lakers Beat Kings 116-103 in Sacramento

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 116-103 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 40 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Los Angeles took control of the game in the middle quarters and held off a late Sacramento push.

The start went Sacramento's way. Doncic missed his first four shots, the Kings jumped out to an early eight point lead, and Los Angeles had to work back into the game. The Lakers steadied, caught Sacramento before the quarter ended, and the teams went to the second quarter tied 28-28.

Doncic takes over in the second quarter

Doncic changed the game after he returned in the second quarter. Lakers Nation reported that he scored 11 straight Lakers points in one stretch, pushing Los Angeles in front. Zach LaVine and rookie Darius Acuff Jr. also got going for Sacramento, but the Lakers outscored the Kings 33-26 in the quarter and led 61-54 at halftime. Doncic led all scorers with 23 points at the break.

His final line showed the full range of the night. Doncic shot 11 of 23 from the field, made six three-pointers, and went 12 of 13 at the free throw line. Lakers Nation reported that he has now scored 40 or more points in five of his last six games.

Los Angeles stretches the lead in the third

The third quarter followed the same pattern. Doncic put together another run of 11 straight Lakers points, hitting deep three-pointers, getting to the basket, and creating open looks for teammates. Los Angeles outscored Sacramento 26-20 in the quarter and led 87-74 heading into the fourth.

Austin Reaves kept the pressure on early in the fourth while Doncic rested, and he finished with 21 points, three rebounds and four assists. Reaves and Doncic combined for 61 points. Walker Kessler added 15 points and eight rebounds for Los Angeles, and Lakers Nation reported that Kessler was strong at both ends of the floor in the fourth quarter.

Sacramento did not fold. The Kings cut the deficit to seven points late in the fourth quarter, close enough to force Doncic back into the game for the final stretch. He closed the win out at the free throw line.

Sacramento's leaders and the defensive numbers

Acuff Jr. led Sacramento with 22 points, three rebounds and 12 assists. LaVine scored 21 points, and Domantas Sabonis finished with 16 points and 17 rebounds. The Kings had the game's best rebounding line from Sabonis, but their shooting never matched it.

Silver Screen and Roll reported that Los Angeles held Sacramento to 38.2 percent shooting from the field and 31.6 percent from three-point range. The Lakers also committed only 12 turnovers, which Silver Screen and Roll reported was their fewest of the season.

Lakers Nation reported one more mark from the night. It said Doncic is the first player in NBA history to record six consecutive games with at least 35 points, five rebounds, five assists and five three-pointers.

The win improved the Lakers to 7-2 on the season. They return home to play the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night in an Emirates NBA Cup game, Lakers Nation reported, before heading back out on a four game road trip.