Lakers Suffer Double Loss to Pistons, Ending 10-Game Winning Streak! Doncic Scores 32 Points in Milestone Game, James Nearly Achieves Triple-Double Despite Injury

On March 24, the Lakers lost to the Pistons 110-113 away, suffering a double defeat this season and ending their 10-game winning streak. Doncic played despite knee discomfort, scoring 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, achieving 30+ points for 10 consecutive games and unlocking his career milestone of 5000 field goals. Reeves contributed 24 points. James injured his finger but continued playing, scoring zero points in the first half—the third such occurrence in his career—and ultimately finished with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists. The Lakers trailed by up to 16 points, briefly overtook in the fourth quarter, but Jenkins secured the win for the Pistons. Doncic missed a three-pointer to tie the game, resulting in the Lakers' defeat. Jenkins scored a career-high 30 points.

Statistics

Lakers: Doncic 32 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists; Reeves 24 points, 5 assists; James 12 points, 9 rebounds, 10 assists; Ayton 13 points, 10 rebounds; Laravia 7 points; Hayes 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 4 blocks; Vanderbilt 4 points, 4 rebounds; Kennard 6 points, 3 rebounds

Pistons: Jenkins 30 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists; Duren 20 points, 11 rebounds; Harris 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists; Dunn 12 points; Ausar Thompson 6 points, 5 rebounds; LeVert 8 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists; Reid 8 points, 4 rebounds; Hield 7 points, 3 assists

Player of the Game

Jenkins performed excellently, helping the Pistons defeat the Lakers.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Doncic scored 5 consecutive points, Ausar Thompson and Jenkins dunked. Reeves made a layup, Ayton dunked, Harris scored 4 straight points, and Duren added a putback. The lead alternated between teams. Doncic was in hot form, scoring 8 points alone, Kennard hit a three-pointer, and the Lakers led by 7 points. Jenkins scored 5 consecutive points, and Doncic made a layup. At the end of the first quarter, the Lakers led 27-23, with Doncic scoring 17 points alone. James injured his finger slightly but continued playing.

In the second quarter, Doncic briefly went to the locker room. Vanderbilt dunked, Laravia made a layup. Pistons' Duren and Green went to the free-throw line consecutively, LeVert scored continuously. Ayton was called for a Flagrant 1 foul, Hield hit a three-pointer, Duren scored 4 straight points, and the Pistons overtook the Lakers by 7 points. Doncic returned to the court, Reeves made a three-point play. After Ayton scored a putback and then an alley-oop dunk, the Pistons' offense intensified, Jenkins hit two three-pointers. Hayes scored 6 consecutive points, Dunn also hit three-pointers repeatedly, Reid made a hook shot. At halftime, the Pistons led 65-52.

In the first half, for the Lakers, Doncic shot 5 of 15, all 17 points came in the first quarter, and he scored zero in the second quarter. James had 0 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, missing all 5 attempts—the third time in his career he scored zero in a half. Reeves had 8 points, 4 assists, shooting 2 of 8. For the Pistons, Jenkins had 15 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists; Duren had 10 points, 5 rebounds.

After halftime, Dunn hit two three-pointers, Reeves also scored 5 consecutive points, Doncic hit a mid-range shot then a layup, reducing the deficit to single digits. Ausar Thompson dunked, Duren scored inside, Jenkins hit a three-pointer, and the Pistons led by 14 points. James and Reeves hit three-pointers, James added a layup, Hayes dunked, and the Lakers went on a 12-2 run, cutting the deficit to 4 points. Jenkins made a layup, Doncic scored 5 consecutive points, Duren dunked. At the end of the third quarter, the Pistons led 89-87.

In the fourth quarter, James made a layup, then assisted Vanderbilt for a score. Green scored a layup, Hield stole the ball. James made three free throws, Harris and Jenkins scored mid-range shots. Doncic and James scored consecutively, but the Pistons' Duren and Jenkins responded. Ayton made a layup, Kennard made three free throws, and the Lakers tied the Pistons 105-105. Harris hit a mid-range shot, Ayton made three of four free throws, and the Lakers overtook by 1 point. Jenkins made two free throws, Reeves scored a floater. Jenkins hit a mid-range shot, Doncic missed his attempt, and the Lakers fouled; Jenkins made two free throws, giving the Pistons a 3-point lead with 9 seconds left. Doncic missed a three-pointer to tie, and the Lakers lost.

Starting Lineups

Lakers: Doncic, Reeves, Laravia, James, Ayton

Pistons: Jenkins, Dunn, Ausar Thompson, Harris, Duren