Luka Doncic scores 44 points in 3 quarters to lead Lakers past Pacers 128-117 without LeBron

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 44 points in the first three quarters Friday night, overcoming LeBron James' absence and leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 128-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

Doncic hit seven 3-pointers on a 14-for-25 shooting night and grabbed nine rebounds before sitting out the fourth for the Lakers, who rebounded from a road loss to Denver on Thursday and won for the fourth time in five games overall.

James sat out to rest his accumulation of minor injuries in his 23rd NBA season, but Doncic picked up any offensive slack from the start. The Slovenian superstar scored 22 points in the first quarter, topping 20 in the opening period for the fifth time this season — the most such first quarters in the NBA in one season at least 30 years.

Doncic capped his barrage by banking in his seventh 3-pointer late in his 15-point third quarter.

Doncic became only the fourth player in Lakers history to score 40 points in at least 10 games in a season, joining Kobe Bryant, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. He also has the most 40-point games in the NBA this season, passing Anthony Edwards.

The Lakers only led by 19 entering the fourth, but they increased their lead without Doncic on the floor, ending his night before he could threaten for his eighth career 50-point game.

Austin Reaves scored 19 points before fouling out for only the second time in his career with 4:58 to play. Luke Kennard had 15 points and seven rebounds, and Marcus Smart scored 11 points on his 32nd birthday.

Pascal Siakam scored 26 points and Andrew Nembhard had 17 for the Pacers, who have lost eight straight since the All-Star break, including five consecutive blowout defeats. Indiana went 2 for 19 on 3-point attempts in the first half.

The Lakers also played without starting center Deandre Ayton, who has a knee injury.

Pacers: At Portland on Sunday.

Lakers: Host New York on Sunday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) shoots as Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, shoots as Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart, below, grapples for a loose ball with Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, right, jokes with Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard after dunking during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Sophia Wilson played in her first match for the Portland Thorns on Friday night since taking maternity leave last season for the birth of her daughter.

Wilson, who won a gold medal for the United States at the Paris Olympics, came in as a substitute in the 75th minute of Portland's preseason match against Liga MX club Monterrey.

The Thorns defeated Monterrey 5-1. Wilson came close to scoring in the 86th minute, but her shot when just wide.

“I feel good. I mean, I'm obviously being very patient with myself. I think coming back from pregnancy is a very different thing than coming back from an injury and I think I’m giving myself grace because of that,” Wilson said. “But I feel really good. I’ve just been so eager to get my first game in. So I feel like I’ve checked that box. I felt good. And, obviously, I’m so glad it was here in front of our fans.”

Portland opens the National Women's Soccer League season on March 13 on the road against the Washington Spirit.

Wilson was formally removed from maternity leave and placed on the active roster on Thursday. Formerly Sophia Smith, she is married to Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson. The couple welcomed daughter Gianna in September.

The 25-year-old forward was part of a trio with Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson dubbed “Triple Espresso” at the Paris Games.

Also on the 2023 Women’s World Cup squad, Wilson has played in 58 games with the national team, scoring 24 goals. She was named U.S. Soccer women’s Player of the Year in 2022 and Young Player of the Year in 2017.

In five seasons with the Thorns, Wilson has scored 44 goals across all competitions. She was named the NWSL’s MVP in 2022 after helping Portland win the championship. She won the Golden Boot in 2023, when she led the league with 11 goals.

A Colorado native, Wilson was the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NWSL draft out of Stanford, where she helped the Cardinal win the 2019 College Cup title.

Wilson exercised the player option of her contract to spend an additional club season in Portland in December.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Portland Thorns FC forward Sophia Smith during an NWSL soccer match against the Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)