Recap: LA Lakers Edge Utah Jazz in High-Scoring Thriller

The Los Angeles Lakers walked into Salt Lake City and survived chaos. They erased a hot Jazz start, flipped the script late, and escaped with a 143-135 win over the Utah Jazz on December 18, 2025. It was loud, fast, and felt like a playoff game that forgot how to defend.

Utah lit the place up early. The Jazz hit shots from everywhere, ran freely, and played loose. The Lakers trailed most of the night and looked stuck chasing shadows. Then the fourth quarter arrived.

Watch the highlights below!

The Lakers dropped 41 points in the final frame, slammed the door with poise, and improved to 19-7 with one of their best wins of the season.

Luka and LeBron Take Control on the Big Stage

Lakers / IG / This game belonged to Luka Doncic. Luka finished with 45 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds, a triple-double that felt heavier than the box score.

Every big possession found the ball in his hands, and Utah could not slow him down.

LeBron James was right there with him. LeBron dropped 28 points and dished out 10 assists while battling through a tweaked knee and a hard shot to the jaw. He stayed aggressive, picked his spots, and kept the Lakers steady when the Jazz threatened another run. Jaxson Hayes chipped in 16 perfect points off the bench, going 7-for-7 and staying flawless against Utah.

Utah played inspired basketball for three quarters. They shot 65% through the first half and piled up 78 points before the break. The ball moved cleanly, the spacing worked, and the Lakers struggled to keep bodies in front. Even without Lauri Markkanen, sidelined by a groin injury, the Jazz looked fearless.

The fight never stopped. Utah trimmed the gap to 134-130 late in the fourth, and the arena believed again. Then Luka slowed it down. He drew the defense, slipped a calm pass to Hayes for a dunk, and that assist ended the drama. The Lakers stayed composed, hit free throws, and sealed the season sweep.

Keyonte George Is Becoming a Real Problem

The night still belonged to Keyonte George, even in a loss. He poured in 34 points, added 8 assists, and grabbed 4 rebounds. It marked his third straight game over 30 points, and none of it felt forced. He attacked with purpose and looked comfortable carrying the offense.

This season has been a leap. George finishes better at the rim, jumping from 61.4% last year to 68.1% now. His mid-range touch has sharpened, and his spot-up threes sit in the 89th percentile. He cut his three-point rate by 15%, drives more, and ranks tenth in the league in free-throw attempts.

Utah Jazz / IG / Utah’s young core showed life around him. Rookie Ace Bailey scored 19. Isaiah Collier posted his best game yet with 18 points and 13 assists.

Kyle Filipowski muscled his way to a career-high 13 rebounds. The pieces are loud and promising.

Defense remains the hurdle. Teams hunt him, and opponents score at a 52.1% clip when he is the primary defender. Utah’s defense slips by 12.5 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor. That gap explains the net rating swing and marks the next step in his growth. If he shores that up, the Jazz have a star.

The Lakers finished the regular-season sweep at 3-0. They won 140-126 on November 19, then survived a 108-106 nail-biter on November 23 when George’s last-second shot rattled out. This one was louder and messier. It also sent a message. When the game turns wild, the Lakers can still flip the switch and take over.