A brilliant start by Luka Doncic set the pace for the Los Angeles Lakers in a win, 107-96, over the Phoenix Suns in crypto.com Arena on Sunday.

Returning to action after missing the previous game of the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season with a right ankle sprain, the Slovenian superstar was eventually slowed down by a combination of foul trouble and ankle pain. Helping his side overcome the latest absence of injured LeBron James, he lasted nearly 40 minutes and posted a 33-point, 11-rebound double-double alongside eight assists and two steals.

In addition to German Maxi Kleber rehabbing a right foot surgery, Ukrainian Alex Len did not play for the team coached by JJ Redick. On the opposite side, Serbian Vasilije Micic also stayed on the bench.

Magic win in Cleveland

In earlier NBA Sundays action, the Orlando Magic snapped a 16-game streak of the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 108-103 victory in Rocket Arena. German Franz Wagner finished with 22 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Shorter stints off the bench featured Georgian Goga Bitadze tallying three points, one block, and one assist and German Tristan da Silva grabbing one rebound.

In a meeting of depleted teams, the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Dallas Mavericks, 130-125. With Turkish Adem Bona ruled out with a left ankle sprain, European participation in the American Airlines Center was limited to French Guerschon Yabusele throwing in 14 points, six rebounds, two steals, and one assist as the starting center of Nick Nurse.