Carrying the team solo! James absent, Doncic explodes with 44+9+5, Lakers send Pacers to 8th straight loss at home.

On March 7, Beijing time, in an NBA regular season game, the Lakers hosted the Pacers. James was absent due to an elbow injury, Reaves had poor shooting touch, but Doncic alone took up the Lakers' offensive banner. The Lakers held the lead for the entire game, never allowing the Pacers a chance. At the final buzzer, the Lakers beat the Pacers 128-117, extending their losing streak to eight games.

Statistics:

Pacers: Siakam 26 points, Hield 16 points, Nembhard 17 points 8 assists, McConnell 10 points 9 rebounds.

Lakers: Doncic 44 points 9 rebounds 5 assists, Reaves 19 points, Smart 11 points, Hachimura 13 points, Kennard 15 points 7 rebounds.

Game Progress:

The first quarter began with both teams engaged in a tug-of-war, exchanging leads. The Pacers held a slight advantage until late in the quarter when the Lakers surged with a 10-0 run to overtake and establish a 6-point lead. McConnell scored a layup to stop the bleeding, but Kennard answered with a confident three-pointer. The Lakers launched a 7-2 attack to reach a double-digit lead. On the Pacers' final possession of the quarter, Siakam scored an uncontested basket. At the end of the first, the Lakers led 35-27 by 8 points.

In the second quarter, the teams repeated the opening scenario, playing tightly with the gap hovering around 8 points. Mid-quarter, the Pacers accelerated their offense, briefly narrowing the deficit to 3 points. However, Doncic hit a clutch three-pointer to widen the gap, and Kennard's high three-point shooting efficiency kept the Pacers struggling to close the gap. Late in the quarter, the Pacers made extensive substitutions but were countered by an 8-2 Lakers run to end the half. After two quarters, the Lakers led 64-51 by 13 points.

Starting the third quarter, Doncic's shooting was initially off, but his teammates performed well, preventing the Pacers' rally from reducing the deficit. The Lakers maintained a double-digit lead. Mid-quarter, Doncic first assisted a teammate's score, then drew a foul and made free throws, leading a 11-2 burst that instantly expanded the lead to 18 points. Siakam scored a layup to stem the tide, but the Lakers continued scoring to widen the lead. On the last play of the quarter, Doncic hit a difficult three-pointer. After three quarters, the Lakers led 99-80 by 19 points.

In the final quarter showdown, Doncic appeared to have checked out and did not play. The Pacers started aggressively, steadily cutting the deficit, but Reaves, who had underperformed earlier, took over the offensive charge. He hit a three-pointer, succeeded in isolation plays, and made two free throws, scoring 7 points alone to establish a 23-point Lakers lead. Later in the quarter, the Pacers deployed their third unit, signaling surrender, and the game entered garbage time. Ultimately, the Lakers defeated the Pacers 128-117.

Starting Lineups:

Pacers: Walker, Siakam, Hield, Nesmith, Nembhard.

Lakers: Smart, Hachimura, Hayes, Reaves, Doncic.