Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) dribbles the ball down court during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Luka Doncic extends his league lead with 43 points in Lakers' win

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Mar 25, 2026 11:32 PM ET

As is often the case, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic did Luka Doncic things in leading his team to a win on Wednesday night.

Doncic further cemented his place in the NBA's MVP conversation with another 40-plus-point performance, his league-leading 14th of the season, as the Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers 137-130.

He scored 43 points in 37 minutes, sinking exactly half of his 39 shots from the field and also sprinkling in four three-pointers as well. Doncic did it all, also contributing six rebounds and seven assists.

Luka Doncic has been red hot all month

Red hot throughout March, five of Doncic's 14 games with at least 40 points have come in the month, including his season-high of 60 coming on March 19th against the Miami Heat.

League Leader Luka

14th 40+ point game of the season pic.twitter.com/0nqeazqyt5
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 26, 2026

Doncic's dominating play has not been wasted either, as the Lakers have propelled up the Western Conference standings and are currently in a strong playoff position as the No. 3 seed. With the win over the Pacers, Los Angeles is 47-26 and two games ahead of the Denver Nuggets in the standings.

Despite a close loss to the East-leading Detroit Pistons on Monday, the Lakers are 9-1 in their last 10 games.

Luka Doncic has put up an MVP-caliber type of season

Overall in 61 games, Doncic is averaging 33.6 points, his highest average for a season since 2023-24 when he led the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals, 7.8 boards and 8.3 assists and shooting 47.4% from the field and 36.4% from long range.

And while Doncic, 27, is likely to lose out on being named MVP for the first time, the Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilegeous-Alexander is the favorite to win the award for the second consecutive season. The six-time All-Star and five-time first-team All-NBA is showing the Lakers that the future of the franchise is in great hands with him as its new face.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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